“Hello everyone, I hope you’re doing well! We’d like to invite all guest artists to a short meeting…”
A short email from lovely Sarah, our Entertainment Program Supervisor aboard the Mein Schiff 4. As you can see, there’s absolutely nothing specific in it to suggest what it’s about.
And guess what the first reaction was for many of the guest artists?
Oh sh…
Why did some immediately jump to a negative conclusion? Because apart from the initial welcome meeting, there has never been a second one for all artists.
But Sarah’s email could logically have so many different meanings:
– A thank-you to everyone.
– A reprimand for everyone.
– An important update for all.
– Something she needs from the group.
And beyond those four, there are at least 100 other possibilities as to what the meeting might be about.
And yet heated discussions among the guest artists were the result.
Why on earth did some people read something negative into a completely neutral message?
Even I paused for a second to reflect on my earlier lectures and workshops, wondering if everything had been okay.
As I explain in my first book, I AM GRÄTER, we humans have seven neural highways for negative thoughts – and only one for positive ones.
That means: whenever we receive an ambiguous message – something that could go either way – our brain speeds down one of those seven negative lanes at full throttle.
It’s evolutionary. Back in the day, it was essential to spot danger faster than opportunity.
Today, though, it mostly does one thing: hold us back.
Now here’s the good news:
We can expand that one positive lane into a six-lane superhighway.
Not overnight – but with every intentional thought we choose.
For example:
The next time your brain screams, “Oh sh…”, hit pause.
Ask yourself:
What would be a positive interpretation of this situation?
What good might come from this meeting?
Why could this be the best meeting ever?
Maybe life – or this moment – doesn’t want to take anything from you.
Maybe it wants to give you something.
A genuine thank you.
A new opportunity.
Or simply an update.
“But Norman, what if it really is something negative for me?”
Then you’ll find out at the meeting.
You have a choice:
Do you want to spend the next three days stressing and losing sleep, assuming the worst?
Or would you rather look forward to the best – and if needed, adjust later?
That way, those three days are filled with peace and positive anticipation.
You always have a choice: blue glasses or red glasses.
Here’s your rule of thumb:
The first thought is often automatic.
The second is yours to choose.
Take care – and remember:
You are the architect of your thoughts.
So go build something beautiful.
