Here’s a funny work example:

 

At my first ever job at ABC company, I sorted my bosses’ mail into folders, with the office-related ones going to a folder labeled “ABC Matters.”

 

One day, a supervisor picked it up, smirked, and asked:

 

“Who told you that ABC matters?” 

 

Then, he stuck a Post-it inside and wrote “Does ABC matter?”

 

Later, another boss added: “Does it matter that it matters?”

 

And a third chimed in: “I agree… if it matters.”

 

Every time I opened that folder afterward? Instant laughter. That’s anchoring! Their joke turned a boring task into something I looked forward to—because my brain linked the folder to humor.

 

Why does this matter?

 

Anchors aren’t just for nostalgia or jokes. They’re powerful tools for:

 

Motivation (e.g., a workout playlist that pumps you up)

Calm (e.g., deep breathing before stressful meetings)

Habits (e.g., always brushing teeth after coffee)

 

So, up until now, remembering those notes make me smile and remind me how blessed I was to have had supervisors who were such a hoot.

 

Your turn! What’s an anchor in your life? A smell, a phrase, a song?