Secrets can be stressful and exhausting. Whispers, hidden plans, the weight of unspoken words — it can feel like you’re carrying a monkey on your back.
But what if, for certain secrets, it could boost your energy, give you a jolt of energy to boost you through your day?
Researchers at Columbia University recently flipped the script on secrecy with a study that was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology titled
“The Bright Side of Secrecy: The Energizing Effect of Positive Secrets.”
Turns out, the researchers found that keeping good news under wraps can actually give you a surprising boost.
This study delved into the world of positive secrets like…
that surprise birthday party you’re planning
the secret vacation you booked for your partner
the dream job you just landed.
The results showed that people keeping these hidden gems of news reported feeling significantly more energized than those who spilled the beans right away.
Now, you might be thinking,
“Isn’t excitement just natural when you have good news?”
And you’re not wrong.
But here’s where it gets more interesting.
The study showed that this energy boost wasn’t just about the good news itself. It was about the act of keeping it secret, the anticipation, the thrill of knowing you hold the key to someone else’s joy.
And even if you don’t plan on sharing your secret at all, guess what?
It still gives you an energy bump!
The study suggests that simply holding onto good news, savoring it for yourself, is inherently exciting. Think of it like a personal battery pack, powered by your own anticipation that keeps getting recharged each day.
But here’s the kicker: it all hinges on your motives.
If you’re keeping a secret under pressure, forced to bite your tongue, or you’re hiding something you did wrong or anything with a negative connotation, then you don’t get the effect.
The energy boost comes from positive, intrinsic motivation — the genuine desire to surprise someone, the joy of being the only one in the know.
So, the next time you have good news bubbling inside you, consider pausing before you blurt it out. Let that secret simmer, let it fuel your energy, and watch your productivity soar.
After all, who wouldn’t want a little extra oomph from a hidden stash of joy?
Your move
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