JOY Competition Mini-Tool for OPTIMISM

Attitudes are simply mental habits we develop over time. It’s easy to get into the habit of sitting down to dinner and complaining about everything that went wrong that day. It’s just as easy to share “three good things that happened today.” Even if we have to search and all we can find is “The weather was nice, I didn’t have that test we were supposed to have today, and I love the spaghetti you made for dinner, Mom” that’s OK. It’s more than OK. It’s great because you are getting your brain into the habit of searching for good things. And when you do that for 30 days, you help your children build a habit that sets them up for happiness and success.
 
Start a very simple family tradition that can help everyone develop a more positive outlook on life. Make mealtime, when you are all together, a time to share the best part of your day. Take turns and really listen. This simple ritual expresses a lot about who we are and what makes us happy. Use the Joy Competition Chart to stimulate some healthy competition. Anyone who shares their “three good things that happened today” earns a check on the chart. This is a game where everyone wins. Select your rewards together, so that your kids will be more engaged. Anyone who completes a certain number of “JOY” boxes during the month will be rewarded with a treat. You can also plan a special activity/gift/treat for the whole family if everyone completes all 30 days.
 
Many families turn this month-long competition into a dinner or bedtime ritual they enjoy all year long.  This is a wonderful way to cultivate a positive attitude toward life and an easy way to connect and learn about what’s going on in each other’s lives.