Management Perspective: Challenge yourself

Every now and then, it’s important to challenge yourself to do something outside of your normal routine—to reevaluate habits or just inject a little change into your everyday activities. It can be uncomfortable but also enlightening, plus it can benefit the brain and the heart.

So, we are mixing it up here at d.trio with a series of summer challenges. We believe we can do anything for a week. Plus, by focusing on something positive like our first challenge, Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK), the recipient of our kind act gets a tangible benefit and the giver receives a nice dose of feel-good oxytocin.

I set out to see how a week of focusing on doing good deeds would make me feel. I got a lot of enjoyment out of watching what other people came up with and the happy responses to the deeds. I also became aware that there is so much more I can do to make things better for people—without a lot of cash output or inconvenience. It just takes a little thought, being more present in my life and sometimes planning ahead.

Being more present in my life is something I aspire to, so it all came together in a positive way. I also enjoyed the anonymous nature of the RAOK. By taking the spotlight off of the giver, the receiver was able to focus on their experience of receiving the gift without feelings of guilt or thoughts of required reciprocation.

I recommend challenging yourself to a week of Random Acts of Kindness to see how it makes you feel. I suspect, like me, you will feel uplifted and your heart and brain will thank you.

-Megan