Loss of a loved one, sickness, financial hardship - all these and more have crushed and still crush people in the course of their lives. In this week’s episode, McKay employs his trademark combination of information, experience, stories, and inspiration to encourage us to rise against the tide and decide to start something good this day regardless of the circumstances. 

McKay breaks the ice by narrating how three-year-old Liz from a broken home changed her narrative. He goes on and stresses the importance of focusing on the positive possibilities and not the feelings of worry and anxiety in times of crisis.  He points out that bad things will always happen and encourages us to have the attitude and mentality of a victor regardless.  McKay further elaborates ways of escaping the victim mentality and the misery that comes with it, encourages us to stay true to ourselves in hard times and not to follow the herd, and also touches on social media, highlighting how harmful it can be. He concludes by motivating us to be optimistic and invites us to take time to list how we could make this time the start of something good. All in all, McKay spurs us on to strip off the worries, concern, and confusion, and stay attuned to the infinite possibilities that exist.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

·  The story of Liz as a three-year old in a broken home.

·  The “What if” voice.

·  The difference in mindset between a victim and a victor.

·  An analogy between contrarian investing and remaining true to yourself.

·  Acting independent of the herd.

·  Anxiety as a thief of joy and positive change.

·  The effect of social media on our mental health.

·  Unsubscribing from negative thoughts of fear and worry.

·  The effects of anxiety.

·  Psychologist Andy Todd’s experiment on anxiety.

·  Vietnam War Commander Jeremiah Denton’s story.

·  The power of slowing down and taking pauses during speech.

·  The effects of, and how to put on, optimism.

Quotes:

“Those with a victim mentality seem to wallow in negativity and tend to force it upon others in an attempt to find company in their misery.”

“Worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening; it just keeps you from enjoying the good.”

 “It's exactly during these anxiety-ridden times that we have a choice - to see ourselves as a victim or a victor.”

“Someone with a victim mentality only sees the problems around them, and on the other hand, someone with a victor mentality will look within themselves to find solutions and carry on.”

“You are meant to be a force for good even in confusing times.”

“Action stops confusion.”

“It's better to lose an eye than to let it infect the whole body. The same goes for some social media.”

“Making this day the start of something good is an everyday mindset.”

“You are happier when you're hopeful.”

“Sometimes you have to get out of the way of yourself so that you can be yourself.”

“You can always unfollow and unsubscribe from your negative thoughts and from fear and worry.”

“To start something good doesn't mean that you have to do something new.”

“Optimism is healthy, attractive, and contagious.”

Show Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Vietnam War Commander Jeremiah Denton