Mindful in 5 Podcast

Bad Day? Try This.

• Spiwe Jefferson • Season 4 • Episode 93

Share episode

We all have bad days. Whether you are encountering a bad day or a challenging client situation, here's a hack you can use. 

Join us as we delve into the life of Barry Miles, a diligent lawyer at Sunderland Medical. Amid the whirlwind of stressed clients reaching out from every direction, Barry harnesses the simple yet profound power of his secret weapon. 

While it may seem straightforward, this humble gesture is backed by science. It releases feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, and believe it or not, it can even lower your stress hormone levels. Beyond the technique, Barry masterfully combines softness, curiosity, and empathy, fostering genuine connections. 

If you’re navigating a tough day or a tricky situation, take a leaf from Barry's book. Train your brain by shaping your face and witness its transformative effect. After all, in the world of energy and emotions, we often attract what we reflect. Let's illuminate our days, one smile at a time!


More Links and Resources

SUMMARY KEYWORDS


Mindful, Peaceful, Reassure, Smile, Facial Feedback Hypothesis, Dopamine, Empathy, 

Compassion, Unflappable, Reflect


TRANSCRIPT

0:00 Hello and welcome to Mindful in 5, helping you discover your peaceful path. I'm your host Spiwe Jefferson, author of the Mindful in 5 book series. 


0:15 We all have bad days. What hack can you use when that happens? To illustrate, let’s watch Barry Miles, a lawyer working at Sunderland Medical, as depicted in the Mindful in 5 book series. Barry often has stressed out clients flying into his office via phone, email, and SMS. The issues vary, but in each case, Barry needs to step up to reassure and solve. 


When a client comes along, the first thing Barry does is smile. This might sound simplistic, but studies show that smiling, even superficially, can influence happiness through a concept known as the Facial Feedback Hypothesis. The act triggers pleasure-related neurotransmitters like dopamine, evoking positive feelings linked to smiling. Scientifically, smiling might even lower cortisol levels. 


Barry's approach to clients is a dance of softness and curiosity. It lays the foundation for his ability to listen actively, hold eye contact, nodding empathetically—actions that forge trust and connection. His genuine smile and open-heartedness embrace their concerns, rendering clients seen and heard. He blends compassion, empathy, and an unflappable presence, fostering understanding.


02:06 In challenging moments, whether dealing with a challenging client situation or whether you are simply having a bad day, try using Barry's artistry. Start with a smile, even a small one when you don’t feel like it. See if it makes you feel a little bit better because essentially what you’re doing is you’re tricking your brain into feeling like things are not nearly so bad. And since I like to say you attract what you reflect, your smiling at someone will increase the likelihood that they’ll smile back at you, helping them feel reassured and perhaps a little lighter. So try that this week and see how it works for you.


02:55 Thanks for listening today. Let’s check in again next week. Until then this is Spiwe saying be mindful and be well.


James@DiscovertheVoice

03:10 Thank you for listening to Mindful in 5. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend. Follow and rate it on your favorite podcast platform. Pick up your signed copy of the book in journal from SpiweJefferson.com or unsigned copies from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or wherever you get your books. Visit SpiweJefferson.com to download sample chapters of the book, watch videos and become a mindful ninja. Join us on the LinkedIn Mindful in 5 group and share your thoughts. Until next time, be mindful and be well.