Did you hear the reference to ‘deficit of awe’ on Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday? There was a study in 2012 that showed the benefits of having those awe-inspiring moments in your life. So when you feel good after gazing up at the stars, watching amazing animals on a David Attenborough programme or seeing waves crash on the beach - it’s doing you good. Not just for your personal wellbeing but, according to the authors (Melanie Rudd, Kathleen D. Vohs and Jennifer Aaker), Awe Expands People’s Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being.
So, it seems that a dose of awe, more than an apple a day, will serve you well both in your personal and business life. When was the last time you heard someone say they feel as if they are rich in time? When I ask people how they are, they usually say “fine, but sooo busy” and roll their eyes. This piece of research also shows that those who feel awe not only felt they had more time but were also less impatient (probably related), were more willing to volunteer their time to help others and preferred experiences to material products. Overall they had greater life satisfaction.
And what about decision-making? (I obviously need more awe as I’m so reflective that making a decision is slow work for me). Having more awe experiences helps people to be more present and this positively influences their decisions and, also, life feels more satisfying. (See https://www.bauer.uh.edu/mrrudd/download/AweExpandsTimeAvailability.pdf)
So what inspires awe in you? For me it is often a lovely sunset, the movement of trees and also some Facebook posts a friend shares of amazing, highly coloured birds. Those seconds make me catch my breath and sometimes I’ll notice the prick of tears in my eyes. Let me know what gives you a sense of awe.