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🦆 CHILL THE DUCK OUT

Volume 019: Be the Mike you want to see in the world.

💭 Cold Open

I had a colleague once who had a big impact on my career. It was my first "big boy" job and I'd moved several hours from home, family, friends, and all the things and places that made life feel comfortable. This guy's name was Mike. He was our Quality Manager, but also a guy who took me under his wing to make sure I was settling in and okay.

He also had this thing. Every single interaction, without fail, started with a cheerful "Happy Monday!" or "Happy Thursday!" or whatever day happened to be fortunate enough to land on his calendar.

It didn't matter what fresh disaster was unfolding. Mike would still bound into the room, like a golden retriever who'd just discovered tennis balls exist, with his signature greeting.

"Happy Tuesday, everyone!"

At first, I thought it was a bit much. But then something weird started happening. I noticed people's shoulders would relax a little when they saw him coming down the hall. Conversations that should have started with groaning and complaining somehow began with actual smiles. Even Gerhard, a burly Canadian engineer, who didn't present the same outward politeness you generally get from Canadians, would light up when Mike appeared at his door with his ridiculous enthusiasm.

The man was like human caffeine, but without the jitters.

After taking this all in and observing for a while, I asked him about why he did it. I expected him to wax some philosophical response, but he didn't. He said, "I don't really know. It was some shit a psychology professor did in college. I liked it, so I started doing it too."

Not exactly what I expected, but it was surprisingly human and comforting.

Over the next couple years, I found myself stealing... I mean, borrowing, his thing. Not consciously at first. I'd catch myself opening calls with "Hope Wednesday's treating you well" or starting emails (because the world didn’t revolve around Slack yet) with "Happy Friday Eve!" Before I knew it, I was the one getting those little smiles, those moments where someone's whole demeanor shifted just slightly toward the lighter side. I was even called Little Michael a couple of times from shop workers who enjoyed giving me a hard time, mostly about my argyle sweater collection but this gave them something new and I was okay with that.

Flash forward nearly 20 years, and I'm still doing it. Sometimes I get asked by others why I do it and I give them the same response that I got from Mike years ago, "It was some shit this guy that I used to work with did. I liked it, so I started doing it."

The real reason is that making the effort to add some warmth to conversations actually works... for others and for yourself.

Science agrees.

🧠 The Science Bit

Greeting someone with genuine warmth, especially with a positive framing, like "Happy Monday!", isn't just nice. It's actually weaponized kindness backed by real science.

Here's what happens when you channel your inner Mike:

Your brain becomes a mood DJ. We have these things called mirror neurons. They're basically your brain's backup dancers, automatically picking up on positive cues, like smiles, tone, and warmth. When you show up with good energy, other people's brains literally start jamming along.

The ripple effect is real. Research consistently shows that positive emotional contagion, the fancy term for "your good mood rubbing off on people", can reduce workplace stress, strengthen team bonds, and boost overall job satisfaction. One person's genuine "Happy Whatever-day-it-is!" can shift an entire room's energy. And it doesn’t have to be just at work. You can cause a ripple checking out at the grocery store, with the barista, or even the older lady in the neighborhood who looks like she could just use a hug.

Trust gets a boost too. Studies on emotional mimicry reveal that when people naturally mirror each other's positive emotions, it creates measurable increases in social trust and collaboration. When you bring the good vibes, people actually want to be around you more. Revolutionary, right?

But here's the fantastic part. You don't have to be naturally bubbly to make this work. You don't need Mike's level of relentless cheer or a personality transplant. You just need to show up with intention.

Maybe your version isn't "Happy Thursday!" Maybe it's "Hope your morning's treating you well" or "Good to see you." The magic isn't in the exact words, but in the genuine warmth behind them.

And if you're thinking But what if I'm having a rough day? Fair question. The research suggests that even small positive gestures when you're feeling okay can build emotional reserves for the days when you're not. Think of it as making deposits in the goodwill bank.

The bottom line is that your energy is contagious whether you mean it to be or not. You might as well make it the kind people want to catch.

So go ahead, steal my… I mean, Mike's thing. Or find your own version of it. Because science says spreading a little joy isn't just nice. It's one of the most practical things you can do.

🍟 This Week’s Happytizer

Pick one day this week and greet every person you interact with using "Happy [Day]!" Start small with your coffee order, a work call, the person at the checkout. Keep track of how many genuine smiles you collect. It’ll feel weird at first. Do it anyway.

Bonus points if you make someone laugh or if they start doing it back to you.

🎉 Unsolicited Joy of the Week

There’s a little boy who faithfully greets his neighborhood garbage collectors each week. This time they surprised him with a gift. His joy was uncontainable. Their smiles were just as big.

It’s proof that when you show up with kindness, the world often finds a way to give a little kindness back.

📺 Watch the sweet surprise here

💬 Tell Me…

What’s one small thing someone else does that you’ve “borrowed” in your life?
The way they greet people, their favorite expression, their energy?

Tell me and maybe I’ll steal it too.

📩 [email protected]

If this made you feel even 1% more human, share it with someone you like. Or risk me mailing you a mystery box labeled “Live Laugh Love” merch.

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🫶 Duckin’ Done

That’s it for Volume 019.

Steal the joy. Start the ripple.
Because sometimes the best way to find your own light… is to borrow someone else’s spark.

In case you needed to hear it, Happy Thursday.
— Jason

🧐 Behind the Curtain

Brief positive social interactions, even simple greetings, can act as powerful connection builders. Research in social psychology shows that consistent, pleasant interactions (like 'Happy Tuesday!' or warm greetings) activate affiliative behaviors and promote trust, cooperation, and social bonding. These small moments help set a positive tone for subsequent interactions.