351: Consider Getting a Dog (Elizabeth Did). Do You Celebrate Moments? Spend 20 Minutes on Joy Each Day.

Update

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Liz's dog Nacho as a puppy

Try This at Home

Consider getting a dog (or a pet) – like Elizabeth! She and her family have been joined by corgi Nacho, now fifteen weeks old.

Eliza recommends the Dyson pet vacuum. I mention Caroline Knapp’s memoir Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs (AmazonBookshop); when we got Barnaby, I read many books about dogs; if you’d like to see my suggested reading list, it’s here. In episode 58 of Happier in Hollywood, Elizabeth and Sarah discuss the possibility that Sarah would acquire a Flemish Giant rabbit. “Does it hop, can it hop?” In episode 234 of the Happier in Hollywood podcast, Elizabeth told Sarah, “You were right about pets making you happier!” in their ongoing segment “Liz vs. Sarah.” (Sarah is a huge animal lover.)

Happiness Hack

Tiffany Dufu is the author of Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less (AmazonBookshop), and she’s also the founder and CEO of The Crua peer coaching platform for women looking to accelerate their professional and personal growth.

Gretchen and Liz interviewing Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany suggests the hack: Spend twenty minutes a day doing something that brings you joy and energy. In her case, dancing to her favorite music.

We mention my Four Tendencies framework; Tiffany is an Obliger. To take the quiz to learn whether you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel, take it here (more than 3.2 million people have taken the quiz).

Tiffany mentions Beyonce’s album Lemonade. To help hold herself accountable for taking this time, Tiffany…

  • she uses a phone alarm to cue her to stop working and start dancing
  • she uploads her intention on The Cru platform for accountability
  • she uses fitness trackers with others in her life, for a bit of competition and accountability


Know Yourself Better

Inspired by Elizabeth’s huge news–that Fantasy Island has been picked up for Season Two by Fox –we consider the question, “Are you someone who celebrates moments?” Elizabeth and I both work hard to remember to celebrate moments.

Here’s Elizabeth in her lightning-bolt t-shirt–because she says, “Great TV is lightning in a bottle“: 

Elizabeth in her lightning-bolt t-shirt

Demerits and Gold Stars

Gretchen’s Demerit: I’ve been ignoring the persistent pain in my rotator cuff.

Elizabeth’s Gold Star: Elizabeth gives Adam a gold star for persuading her to get a dog, and making it happen.

Resources

  • To go deeper with my Four Tendencies framework, check out my resources hub. It has tips for using the Four Tendencies at work; with families, sweethearts, and children; and to build the habits you want to master.


What we’re reading

  • ElizabethThe Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam (AmazonBookshop)
  • Gretchen:  Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey by Stephen Kuusisto (AmazonBookshop)

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