If work has been feeling stale lately, you’re not alone. Many of us hit stretches where our days feel routine, energy is low, and it’s hard to remember what we even like about our jobs. If changing jobs isn’t practical—for any of the dozens of reasons that can be—I invite you to try a mindset shift that’s rooted in both conflict resolution practice and brain science: appreciative inquiry.
What is Appreciative Inquiry?
Appreciative inquiry is a way to refocus our attention—not by ignoring problems, but by consciously noticing what’s working. Instead of “What’s wrong here?”, try “When do things go well?” and “What feels meaningful, even in small ways?” Research in neuroscience shows that whatever we focus our attention on—positive or negative—tends to become more prominent in our minds, thanks to the brain’s neuroplasticity. By regularly noticing positive moments, we can actually reinforce those neural pathways, making it easier to spot more of them in the future.
A Practical Experiment: The ‘Highlight Reel’
Here’s something you can try for the next two weeks:
- Each workday, jot down one moment—even a small one—that felt positive or energizing. Maybe a project moved forward, a colleague thanked you, or you enjoyed your coffee break.
- At the end of the week, look for patterns. Do any people, activities, or times of day stand out?
- Ask yourself: How can I build in more of these moments? Could you connect with a favorite coworker, spend more time on certain tasks, or pause to appreciate small successes?
Why This Matters
Our brains have a built-in negativity bias; we’re wired to notice problems more than positives. But with a little practice, we can train ourselves to notice what’s life-giving, too. Over time, this can alter not only our perspective, but our actual work experience.
Ombuds tip: If you notice highlights that involve others—someone helpful, kind, or thoughtful—consider letting them know. Your acknowledgment could make a difference in their day, too.
Try this out and see what changes. It won’t erase every frustration, but you might gain a fresh sense of agency and maybe even find a few hidden bright spots.
By: Teresa Ralicki, Sr Ombuds Lead at Pinterest, founder of the Ombuds Institute, and Co-Editor of Ombuzz