2020 Won’t Last Forever
2020 Won't Last Forever
2020 Won’t Last Forever
To say that 2020 has been challenging is an understatement. This year has put everyone’s ability to stay resilient to the test, taking a toll on our mental health, increasing stress and burnout, and creating a constant state of uncertainty.
I went back and forth so many times on whether or not I should release my new book Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, but I knew if I needed these tools more than ever, chances are you did too. I teach you how to tap into mindfulness to create the life you deserve. If you know me, you know that sitting in a full lotus and finding my Zen is not my style. That’s why I wanted to make mindfulness accessible and easy to understand and practice.
In fact, I’ve come to believe so strongly in the power of mindfulness to strengthen and build resilience that I decided to get a permanent reminder.
That’s right…I got a tattoo!!
I wanted a visual representation to remind myself to stay in the present moment. To see the design and the meaning behind it, watch my latest video.
Even after 2020 is over, we are still going to have twists and turns throughout the rest of our lives. Our ability to come back to the moment and focus on what is most important is a skill, one that we can practice and develop. It’s a muscle we can build.
If you haven’t had a chance to purchase your copy of Mind Over Moment and the companion journal, I want to give you a sneak peek at the framework I take you through to harness the power of resilience, lean into hard things, and live your life on purpose.
Part 1: Mindset includes understanding your brain, habits, emotional intelligence, growth mindset and beliefs.
Part 2: Skillset includes the ability to cultivate positive emotions, manage stress, and engage in activities that are good for us like humor, social connection, mindfulness, and self-care.
Part 3: Reset is getting out of reactivity to focus on what is most important.
Every time I look at my tattoo, I take three deep breaths (that’s all it takes to reset your entire nervous system) and think of something I’m grateful for.
It may not be a tattoo, but I would love to know what visual reminder you will create to come back to the moment, take a deep breath (or three), and focus on gratitude. I hope you’ll send me a picture or tag me on social media @AnneGradyGroup.
I am so grateful for you. I love receiving your emails, posts, and videos on how you are practicing Mind Over Moment. Having you in my corner has made such a huge difference this year.
I hope you have a wonderful week and a happy holiday season full of delicious moments!
Stay brave and resilient,
Anne
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Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.
I played piano from the time I was four years old until the age of 15 and during that time, I had a lot of recitals. I remember being so nervous before each recital. What if I played the wrong note? What if I forgot the music? My dad would look at me, hold my hands, and say:
Whatever you do, DO NOT think of pink elephants!!
At the time, I had no idea why in the world he would say this. All I do know is that when I sat down to play, all I saw were pink elephants, and I was able to tackle my nerves.
Turns out my dad was helping me to practice the ironic process theory which explains that when we try to suppress our thoughts, we focus on them even more. Seventy to 80% of our thoughts are negative and repetitive. If not managed, intrusive thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, and a whole host of mental health challenges.
If you tend to get stuck in rumination, or if your thoughts sometimes get the best of you, here are a few ways to take back control:
1️⃣ Recognize that your thoughts are not facts.
2️⃣ Use your brain. Do a math problem, practice a different language, or play a puzzle game. When you access the prefrontal cortex, the higher level thinking part of your brain, you get out of the emotional limbic system.
3️⃣ Distract yourself. Sometimes a simple distraction gives you enough distance to quiet your intrusive thoughts.
4️⃣ Practice mindfulness.
5️⃣ See a therapist. When negative, intrusive thoughts impact your ability to do your job, maintain relationships, or start clouding your judgment, it may be time to get help. As someone with plenty of intrusive thoughts, therapy has helped me tremendously.
Don’t forget, your thoughts and feelings are not facts. They are simply habits that need to be shifted. Be patient with yourself, and if all else fails, whatever you do, DO NOT THINK OF PINK ELEPHANTS!

Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.