Ep. 6: Four Magic Minutes to Change Your Day
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AUDIO HERE
What if just four minutes could change the way you experience your entire day?
Most of us wake up and jump straight into the demands of life—checking our phones, running through our to-do lists, and reacting to whatever comes our way. Before our feet even hit the floor, our minds are already racing.
But what if you could start your day differently?
In this episode of Make Life Count, we’re talking about the power of priming your brain and how a few intentional minutes each morning can profoundly shape your mindset, influence what you notice, and change how you show up for the people around you.
Through stories, research, and practical strategies, we’ll explore why your brain needs a little direction in the morning—and how to give it just that.
The Make Life Count Dare
For the next seven mornings, answer the three priming questions before your feet hit the floor.
Priming is not pretending. It doesn’t deny grief, dread, pressure, or difficulty. It helps you recognize where you still have agency and choose how you want to show up. On the hardest days, your win might simply be taking a shower.
Our hope? That you walk away ready to expect on purpose, direct your attention toward what matters, and remember that you can always begin again.
Let’s make it count.
The Make Life Count Dare
For the next seven mornings, answer the three priming questions before your feet hit the floor.
Hosts: Krista Gilbert, Emily Love, Emily Jamieson (EmJ) — The Transformation Triad
Research & Resources Referenced
- Cortisol and anticipated demands — research by Greg J. Elder and colleagues found that anticipating demanding tasks increased participants’ cortisol awakening response.
- Stress anticipation and memory — Jinshil Hyun, Martin J. Sliwinski & Joshua M. Smyth found that anticipating stress upon waking was associated with poorer working memory later that day.
- Morning mood and performance — Nancy P. Rothbard & Steffanie L. Wilk examined how employees’ starting moods shaped their perceptions, emotions, and performance.
- Morning light and cortisol — a systematic review found that bright early-morning light can increase cortisol compared with dim light.
- Susan David — Emotional Agility and her TED Talk, The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage, referenced in the conversation about grief and responding to difficult emotions honestly.
Connect with The Transformation Triad
- Website: thetransformationtriad.com
- Instagram: @thetransformationtriad
- YouTube: @thetransformationtriad
- Contact: thrive@thetransformationtriad.com
Your life is happening now. Live your purpose. Love your people. Own your practice. MAKE LIFE COUNT.
Ep. 5: Shut the Laptop. No, Really: Recovery That Actually Works
You can shut the laptop, but can you actually turn off your brain? In this episode, we explore why recovery is essential to excellence, the different types of rest we need, and how to make space for what brings us alive. Because you're a human being, not a human doing.
Ep. 3: 90 Seconds of Emotion
What if you befriended every emotion?
Ep. 4: The Trust Shortcut Hiding in Every Conversation
The swiftest way to close the distance in your most valued relationships.