I absolutely LOVE witnessing someone change their life by changing their mindset (yay, power of thought!). Back in 2009, when I still co-hosted a radio show in Minneapolis, we did a show on positive thinking. We interviewed a young woman named Dani DiPirro who said she’d spent the first 25 years of her life with a negative attitude – until she realized it wasn’t doing her any good. So, she decided to shift her thinking and committed to finding the good in every situation.
Dani’s life changed in all kinds of wonderful ways.
She was so inspired that she started a web site, PositivelyPresent.com, to share her own insights and experiences with readers yearning to find the good, too. The web site took off, she was able to leave her marketing job, and published her first book in 2012. This week, she’s celebrating the launch of her second book – The Positively Present Guide To Life – and it’s great!
She’s one busy (and happy!) lady these days, so I asked her to answer me three quick questions – including how she stays upbeat on social media. Enjoy!
Dani, you’ve built the Positively Present brand online, from your blog to Instagram to Facebook. But spending a great deal of time online can be soul-sucking if you’re not careful. In the book, you advise readers to use technology wisely; can you elaborate on how you do this?
“Technology can definitely be soul-sucking if we’re not careful with how we use it. There are three important things to consider when thinking about using technology in a positive way.
First and foremost, it’s important to think about how you feel when you’re using certain technology or visiting certain websites. If you feel inspired, motivated, and engaged — that’s great! If not, you might want stop visiting a certain site or, to limit your time on the site, remove its app or bookmark. (And it’s important to remember: just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to.)
Secondly, it can be useful to pay attention to how much time you’re spending on social media. Obviously I spend a great deal of time on certain sites (particularly Instagram and Pinterest), but I try to have certain times of the day when I don’t engage with social media and I give myself a little break.
The third point to keep in mind when striving for a positive, healthy relationship with technology is that there are many apps and websites that can actually help you be more positive and present. Finding apps and websites that encourage mindfulness can be very useful, particularly during the times when it’s difficult to stay in the moment.”
In the section on work life in your new book, you encourage readers to appreciate what’s working and accept praise graciously. I love this, because it’s so easy to forget to CELEBRATE the little things each day. So I’d love to know how you’re savoring and celebrating this moment in your work life as your new book is being born into the world!
“We’re often so focused on big goals that we forget to stop and rejoice in the little moments. I try to celebrate something every day, even if it’s something as small as crossing a tough task off my to-do list or making some extra time to play with my dog. I’ve been working on this book for two years so it’s a big deal that it’s finally out there in the world, sitting on bookshelves all over the world. Even though it was a big moment when I first saw the book in the bookstore, I’ve been trying to celebrate all of the little victories along the way (such as turning in the first draft, completing the illustrations, etc.), and this has actually made the debut of the book even sweeter. Every little win — no matter how small — deserves to be savored, and throughout the publishing process, I’ve really tried to make time to celebrate (and write about) the little moments.”
What was your favorite chapter to write in the book and why?
“Great question! My favorite chapter of the book to write was the first chapter, which focuses on being positively present at home. I enjoyed this partly because I’m a bit of a homebody and really enjoy being at home, but mostly because I believe it’s so important for people to create a positive living space in which they can feel comfortable, relaxed, and inspired. We spend a lot of time in our homes and with the people we live with so it’s important to make the most of the moments we have at home. And this isn’t always easy to do. Sometimes we’re not living in a place we want to be or we’re living with people who aren’t necessarily positive. Ideal living situations are hard to come by, but I believe everyone can make the most of whatever situation he or she is in and create a home that feels both invigorating and relaxing.”
Thanks & congrats, Dani!
Pssst! Friends, you can find The Positively Present Guide to Life here.
And!? Dani’s also a contributor to my How To Build a Blog You Truly Love ebook here.
