What do you do when something does not go as planned? What’s the way forward? McKay provides the simple answer to this - pivot to what’s next. So many people get frustrated when things go wrong and forget that, as McKay demonstrates today, asking and doing what’s next is the path of happiness.

He starts the episode with the story of Karen McWatters who lost her leg and a close friend in the Boston Marathon bombings. Despite the adversities Karen encountered, she asked herself ‘What next?’, and went on to find opportunities even in the face of despair. McKay then talks about the power of asking ‘What’s next?’, how it can propel us to move forward, and the importance of developing the habit of ‘What’s next?’, as well as ways to develop this habit. The episode rounds off with McKay drawing lessons from the life of Rachel Ray who went on to start a new path by focusing on what’s next. There is great power to be found in posing and answering this simple question - listen in today to hear how it can change your life.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

- The devastating event that made Karen McWatters go on her quest of ‘What’s next?’

- Finding what’s next in horrible circumstances

- The power of ‘Yes, and?’ - lessons from improv

- Why you need to master the habit of ‘What’s next?’

- What is prospective psychology?

- How to think prospectively and why you should

- Harvard University’s study results on happiness in life

- Why the habit of ‘What’s next?’ is important for a happy life - the story of Bill Graham

- Ways to develop the habit of ‘What’s next?’

- Removing the ticks in your life

- Starting another path - lessons from Rachel Ray’s life

Quotes:

“Her attitude of ‘What's next?’ changed everything.”

“’Yes’ is awareness and acceptance and appreciation. It means ‘I'm listening’…and is saying ‘What's next?’. It is fueling you with agency and autonomy and action, and is taking a clear step forward to add to whatever you've received.”

“There's tremendous power in developing the habit of ‘What’s next?’”

“Prospective psychology is the practice of creating an image in your mind of your possible future.”

“The habit of ‘What's next?’ helps us to be happy.”

“Over time, researchers observed it's not the bad things that happen to us that determine our happiness, but what we choose to do with those things that matter.”

“Don't let yourself get dragged down into other people's complaints.”

“Even though you might not like the situation you're in, you can choose to accept it, and once you learn to accept what it is and then focus on what you can control in the future, you win. Remember, the only thing that matters is your response.”

“You can't change others, you can't change the past, you can only change your response.”

Show Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Episode Highlights:

• Historical cases and recent findings illustrating psychological principles and their impact on behavior and mental well-being
• Studies emphasizing the role of social connections
• The mental health consequences of sleep patterns and offering practical tips for better sleep
• Carl Jung's ‘shadow self’ concept, suggesting personal growth through self-awareness and integration of repressed traits
• Findings that walking boosts creativity and physical health.
• A discussion on human motivations, emphasizing love as a key motivator, illustrated through personal stories

Key Takeaways:

"Phineas Gage's case provided one of the first pieces of evidence that specific areas of the brain are related to particular functions such as personality and social behavior."

"Genie's case also highlighted the importance of social interaction for cognitive and emotional development."

"Researchers concluded that as our annual income rises, so does our emotional well-being, but after a certain point, more money really doesn’t make you more emotionally well."

"Religious individuals are, on average, happier and more satisfied with life than non-religious individuals."

"Sleeping too much is linked to depression, headaches, and heart disease, and the lack of sleep also impacts our well-being."

"Carl Jung explored the concept of our ‘shadow self’, which includes the things we may not be aware of or fully consider."

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

"A person's creative output increased by an average of 60% when walking."

"Love is also a key reason why we do what we do, and being motivated by love is evident in people who are happier and more self-aware."

"Happiness is the only thing in the world that doubles each time you share it."

Links:

https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

Unveiling the power of the unexpected, McKay ushers listeners into yet another captivating episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast here today. As he conducts his exploration into life's unpredictable nature, our host showcases how seemingly random events can spark profound change.

Through the inspiring journeys of Olympic gymnasts Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, the episode highlights the impact of chance encounters that led to not only athletic brilliance but also an enduring partnership. From tales of paleontologist Sue Hendrickson's hunch leading to the most complete T-Rex skeleton, to Tom Selleck's fortuitous television appearance launching his acting career, the podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing life's detours. By remaining open to the whispers of intuition and unexpected encounters, McKay empowers listeners to find joy, forge connections, and discover their own extraordinary path in the ever-unfolding story of life.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of sticking with goals and overcoming challenges
• 
  
• Trusting intuition and taking chances on seemingly random opportunities
• 
  
• How chance encounters can lead to profound life changes
• 
  
• Personal anecdotes of life-changing moments triggered by random events
• 
  
• Alfred Bandura's studies on the impact of chance encounters and their role in shaping our lives
• 
  
• Embracing the unpredictable nature of life and remaining open to unexpected opportunities
• 
  
• Examples such as a father's daily post-it notes to his daughter, showing how small actions can have a profound impact
• 
  
• The remarkable achievements and perseverance of such individuals as Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, who overcame significant challenges

Key Takeaways:

"You are filled with immense potential, and sometimes seeing things in a new way can unlock that potential."

"From a chance meeting at a gymnastics competition to building a life together, their journey is a reminder that the future is often unpredictable."

"Bandura believes that chance encounters with people and circumstances are the prominent forces that shape our life."

"Sue Hendrickson found one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons ever discovered because she followed a hunch."

“The journey of life is a tapestry woven with threads of uncertainty, possibility, and resilience.”

“Embracing the idea that ‘you never know’ empowers us to navigate life's challenges with courage and curiosity.”

“So today, take a chance, introduce yourself, try something new, follow a hunch, listen to the voice inside that gives you a little inspiration.”

Links:

https://www.mckaychristensen.org/