5 Science-Backed Ways to Stop Focusing on the Negative and Rewire Your Mind for Positivity!

Good news: your brain is wired to keep you alive.

Bad news: that same wiring is … kinda bumming you out.

Turns out we all have this particular twist of evolutionary biology that makes negative experiences stick in our brains, while positive ones tend to slide right on through. (If you’re thinking to yourself right about now, “Oh, that’s why I always seem to focus on the one tiny negative comment and ignore positive feedback”, you’re right.)

But here’s a really powerful secret – you can learn to leverage that same biology to cultivate deep, lasting happiness and encourage your brain to latch onto the positive.

It all comes down to understanding Velcro® Brain vs Teflon™ Brain.

Master Class on Critical Leadership by Jocko Willink
Reviewed by TLP Cohort #10 Member

In his Critical Leadership Master Class, former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink offers powerful lessons on effective leadership grounded in humility, empowerment, and communication. He emphasizes that great leaders must listen actively, value their team’s input, and collaborate to create clear, actionable plans. Equally important is explaining the “why” behind every decision so team members understand the broader purpose and how their roles contribute to the mission. Jocko reinforces that leadership is built not on authority or intimidation, but on respect, trust, and shared accountability, qualities that create stronger, more resilient teams.

One of the most impactful takeaways from the session is Jocko’s distinction between silent leaders and authoritarian leaders. Silent leaders earn respect by example and strengthen their teams through trust and clear communication, while authoritarian leaders rely on control and commands, an approach that often weakens team cohesion. He also dispels the misconception that military leadership requires shouting or force, emphasizing instead the importance of empowerment, adaptability, and transparency. For me, the reminder that leaders should always communicate the “why” behind their decisions truly resonated. This Master Class reaffirmed that effective leadership stems from humility, honesty, and relationship-building, creating a culture where people feel trusted, motivated, and aligned toward a shared goal.