02/27/2024

How to Let go of Pet Peeves

Embracing these frustrations is bound to make you unhappy

I hate when a stranger invades my personal space. Like the person who takes up the armrest on an airplane. Or the concertgoer who dances her way into the area around my seat. This pet peeve usually causes me to focus on my irritation for the entire flight or show, instead of relaxing and enjoying the day.

Like me, you probably have a pet peeve or two. While they’re common, there's a compelling reason called the "heliotropic effect" that should encourage you to get rid of them, said Harry Cohen, author of Be the Sun, Not the Salt.

"The heliotropic effect is the tendency for all living organisms to be drawn to energy, which sustains life," he said. "It's why a plant tilts toward the sun. A professor from the University of Michigan's Ross Business School did some research on why organizations are more effective; it turns out they have a higher number of positive energizers in their leadership roles. It's a person who's heliotropic, and they make people feel great."

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.