Improve Your Outlook
February 27, 2026
To Inspire:
How are you feeling? If you, like The Joseph Group, are located in central Ohio, you’re experiencing some “false spring” days. Sunny! Temperatures in the high 50s! These days will be followed closely, however, by days with highs in 30s, and rain, and maybe snow. Looking at the weather, you, like me, might need a mood boost.
As we hold on waiting for true spring to arrive, here are some one-minute mantras from Real Simple to help improve your outlook. These simple, perspective-changing words are things mental health experts tell their clients and themselves, and they really are quick – no special equipment required!
Give It Five Minutes. Doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. If it seems impossible to get started, follow the five-minute rule: Set a timer and do a task for just five minutes. When the five minutes are up, see how you feel. If you want to stop, stop, but chances are you’ll keep going. This works for any task – gardening, laundry, cleaning off your counter. Regardless of how long you go, give yourself permission to feel good about whatever you accomplished!
“I Can’t Control Everything.” You know that critical voice in your head. The one that reminds you of something you messed up years ago? When you hear that voice, stop and say aloud, “Is this really helpful?” The answer is probably no. Then move on. If you do this consistently, you’ll get better at shutting down that self-criticism. Another great question for worriers and perfectionists: “What do I have control over?” This isn’t asking what you wish you could control, but what is actually in your control. It’s not much and recognizing that can be freeing.
Slow Down for the Good Stuff. We all experience stress and sadness, but we also have good moments. It’s so important to slow down and experience those good moments. This can be as small as a calming breath when you need it, or when you finish a task, or when you see random beauty in the world that brings you joy. Focus on how you feel. Do this often and you can gradually hardwire happiness and inner strength into your nervous system.
It’s Ok. One mental health expert shared that when she’s having a hard moment, she puts her right hand over her heart and repeats, ‘It’s OK, sweetheart.’ It’s exactly what she needs to hear, and she says it to herself, no outside affirmation needed.
Be Kind, Not Harsh. There is absolutely no redeeming value in harshness. Read that again. This can be your inner voice being harsh, or when you are harsh to others – or when you allow others to be harsh to you. There’s nothing that harshness does that loving firmness can’t do better. Say to yourself as you’re about to speak to someone else, even if what you need to say is a tough topic: “We are on each other’s side.” Think of this as “remembering love.” Remember that the person you’re speaking to – including you! – is someone you care about, and the point of the conversation is to make things better, not to be cruel.
These all make me feel a little better just reading them. This weekend, I am going to try the five minute timer on some decluttering I keep putting off. I encourage you to pick one to think about this weekend, and start March on a high note!
Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications