We live in a world that seems determined to pull our attention toward what's broken, urgent, and wrong. It's not your imagination. Our brains are wired that way.
The human brain is an ancient survival machine built to scan for threats. While that default negativity mode might have kept our ancestors alive, it often just keeps us stressed, anxious, and reactive in today's world.
That's why I believe in a deceptively simple practice: asking yourself, "What's Going Well?"
Why Asking Works
When you ask What's Going Well?, you activate your Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of your brain that filters information. It's the same reason you notice cars like yours when you drive; your brain tunes in to what you're focused on.
When you "sit in" the question What's Going Well?, your brain starts noticing more of it. And since we're all already "under the influence" of something, why not choose to be under the influence of What's Going Well?
A What's Going Well mindset is more than a feel-good trick, it's a philosophy. Over the years, I've made What's Going Well? my dominant thought. When I focus there, I feel better, make better decisions, and show up better for others.
Building the Habit
Here's the catch: focusing on What's Going Well isn't our default setting. It takes intentional and daily practice. Research from the University of London suggests it takes 66 days to build a habit. If you're a full-blown Negaholic, double it. Try asking "What's Going Well?" every day for 132 days straight and see what shifts.
When I started doing this consistently, I became what I jokingly call a "What's Going Well expert." I even have "What's Going Well tantrums"—ridiculously over-the-top celebrations of the good stuff in my life. And I've noticed something remarkable: no matter what's happening, when I look for What's Going Well, I find it.
The Ripple Effect
When you make What's Going Well? your guiding question, it changes how you interact with others. I no longer get pulled into other people's negativity spirals. If a problem is outside my control, I let it go. If it's within my control, I address it and move on. Either way, I return my attention to What's Going Well.
I've applied this mindset to the five areas of wellbeing identified by Gallup—Career, Health, Finances, Family/Friends, and Community — and I added Hobbies for #6. I've seen measurable improvements in each one. Focusing on What's Going Well makes me more present, peaceful, and productive. When I feel good, I tend to do good. And that's not just true for me, it's true for the teams, leaders, and organizations I've had the privilege of working with.
Bringing "What's Going Well?" to Your Organization
If this resonates with you, I will dive much deeper into the mindset, science, and application of this question in my book, What's Going Well? It's filled with stories, practical exercises, and insights to help you rewire your brain toward optimism and resilience.
“We invited Greg to keynote our annual Hospitality Conference and he certainly delivered! The “What’s Going Well?” message carried through the entire event inspiring attendees to use that question to start conversations. Greg does a fantastic job of connecting with his audience and leaving a lasting message they can easily integrate within their own teams.”
I also deliver highly interactive keynotes and workshops on this topic for leadership teams, organizations, and conferences. We explore how this simple but powerful question can shift culture, improve performance, and boost overall wellbeing.
If you'd like to bring this message to your team or start your own What's Going Well? Journey, you can:
Reach out about a keynote or workshop
The truth is, there's always something going well; you just have to choose to see it.
““Greg Bell’s presentation to our Association members was one of the best we’ve ever had. We all found he concepts discussed by Greg very pertinent and timely to issues we face each day. All of the Executives present came away both motivated and anxious to share the insights with their own staff members.””