60-Second Strategy: Appreciation, Apology, Aha!
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Everyone has a different way of processing and dealing with emotions. However, some general strategies can be used to achieve a positive outcome in any situation.
The 60-Second Strategy for Appreciation is simple: Make a list of all the things you appreciate in your life. This could be the good things that have happened to you, your loved ones have done for you, or your strengths and accomplishments. Once you have a list, please consider each and why it is meaningful. This simple act of appreciation will help to boost your mood and make you feel more positive about life.
When something goes wrong, it is often easy to get negative. For example, if you spill coffee on your shirt, you might say to yourself, “Ugh, I can’t believe I ruined my new shirt!” Instead, if you use the 60-Second Strategy for Apology, you might say, “I’m sorry for making a mess. I’ll clean it up right away. “Apology is a powerful tool because it shows that you are taking ownership of your actions and are willing to make amends. An apology also shows that you are remorseful and have no intention of doing it again.
Finally, the 60-Second Strategy for Aha! It is the most important of all. When something is difficult to understand or solve, use the Aha! Strategy can help to make the connection. For example, if you can’t remember how to do a math problem, you might say to yourself, “I think I see the pattern. I need to use the context clues to figure out the answer.” This type of thinking is called metacognition, and it is a powerful tool for learning and problem-solving