In a recent LinkedIn post, Johnbarrows shares a personal reflection and a call to action, urging his network to actively seek out and share positive experiences amidst a backdrop of global and personal challenges. The post, prompted by a weekend spent with family following the unexpected passing of his aunt, highlights the pervasive nature of negative news and anxieties, including discussions around artificial intelligence.
Johnbarrows opens by detailing the emotional weight he is currently carrying, stating:
“I spent the weekend with my cousin and his family after his mom (my aunt) passed away unexpectedly last week. Add that to the onslaught of negative news related to what’s going on in our country and the world and all the AI doomsday talk and shit is heavy right now.”
This somber context leads Johnbarrows to propose a deliberate shift in focus. He emphasizes the importance of actively cultivating a positive outlook, even when it feels difficult.
The Power of Deliberate Positivity
Johnbarrows argues that in times of widespread negativity, individuals can easily fall into a pattern of only noticing the bad. To counteract this, he suggests a conscious effort to seek out and acknowledge the small, everyday positive occurrences that often go unnoticed.
“Sometimes you need to force the positivity by looking for the small things that happen to us every day and many of us take for granted. Positivity is all around us if we look for it,” Johnbarrows writes.
He encourages his followers to share any positive news, no matter how minor, in the comments section of his post. This includes personal achievements like promotions or closing deals, as well as simple, uplifting interactions such as someone holding a door, a friendly smile, or a reconnecting call from an old acquaintance.
Seeking Small Joys
The post lists several examples of these small positives:
- Receiving a promotion or closing a deal
- Getting a response back from an email
- Someone holding the door or smiling
- A text or call from someone not heard from in a while
- Making a green light on the commute
Johnbarrows posits that these seemingly insignificant moments are crucial for maintaining perspective and well-being when the larger world feels overwhelming.
A Call to Spread Positivity
Drawing a parallel to his podcast outro, Johnbarrows reiterates his belief in the impact of spreading joy. He consistently ends his podcast episodes with the message:
“go out there and make someone smile today because no matter how bad you think your day went, if you make someone smile today you know you had a good day and the world needs A LOT more of that right now.”
Through his LinkedIn post, Johnbarrows aims to foster a community-driven moment of shared positivity, directly asking his network, “Who or what has made you smile recently?” He explicitly requests that responses be genuine and not generated by AI, underscoring the personal nature of the interaction he seeks.
In essence, Johnbarrows is advocating for a proactive approach to mental and emotional well-being, suggesting that even in the face of significant personal and global adversity, focusing on and sharing small, positive experiences can make a meaningful difference.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Johnbarrows on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 2, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →