This short reflection exercise shows you how to turn a seemingly negative week into a collection of resources. It doesn't take long and is very effective at the same time. It's not that difficult at all. The only thing it takes is your curiosity to find something positive from your past week and discover. There are those days, again and again, when it feels like you haven't really accomplished anything. It feels like the whole week was filled with effort, stress, and tiredness, and yet it seems like nothing has progressed. When we're doing well, everything appears in bright colors: positives stand out, and the future looks rosy. If I now, in a moment when I'm not feeling so good, think back and ask myself: How was my week? Then there's a pretty high chance that my memories are also shaped by the current emotion-driven focus on the more negative aspects. It's a shame, because I can actually draw strength from memories. The past offers a huge treasure trove of resources that I can tap into if I want.

1. Step: Shift your focus and become a detective for the positive. Conscious focus makes the difference. If I know I'm not feeling great today, but I still want my memories to have the potential to give me energy for tomorrow, then I have to shift my focus. Instead of my emotions, it will then become the peephole for my personal review. As soon as I become a detective for the positive, I open up the possibility to capture what small or big successes, beautiful moments, and touching encounters I've had.
2. Step: Discover the resources from last week. Do you remember what was going on last week? What is the first memory that comes to mind when you think back to last week? Go through the week day by day: What do you discover? Do you remember a challenging situation: What did you contribute to overcoming it? Do you remember a positive situation, a special moment: capture it.
3. Step: Record your findings Record your discoveries. Write them down. One paragraph each day. And don't forget the positive focus!
4. Step: Read through what you have collected Reread everything. You'll be surprised what else was in your week that had already slipped out of view. And I bet last week won't seem so "tough" anymore, as it initially seemed.
5. Step: Repeat the exercise regularly Do this regularly, from time to time. You'll soon notice that focusing on strengths will become easier for you.

This reflection exercise can help you regain awareness of everything you accomplish and do. Instead of letting your feelings take the wheel when they aren't soaring, simply take the wheel back yourself. This will not only make you feel better immediately, but you'll also actively shape which events and experiences you want to anchor in your consciousness and how. This way, you can refill your resource box. Furthermore, you'll train yourself to focus on what gives you strength, instead of on what drains it. What did you discover in your week? Feel free to leave a comment.