“It’s very simple. Decide when you get up in the morning that you’re going to have a terrific day, no matter what happens.” — Dr. Sri Rao   My guest this week is Dr. Srikumar Rao, an elite coach who works with business executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. He is widely known for his popular course, Creativity and Personal Mastery, first developed for Columbia Business School. His talk, “How Can You Plug-in to Happiness Now?” has had more than a million downloads and he is the author of two bestselling books, Are You Ready to Succeed? and Happiness at Work.    In our conversation Dr. Rao explains how we are all essentially prisoners of our own mind; that we create our own reality, and we all have the ability to break out of it. The key to having a great day starts with simply deciding it will be great, no matter what life throws at you, and at the same time surrendering any idea that we are in control of what happens. He also stresses that everything we do is an expression of who we are and that we all have the ability to elevate consciousness in ourselves as well as in others. By becoming more aware of ourselves, we can learn to understand how we can make a better and bigger impact on the world.    In this episode of Leading with Genuine Care, you’ll also learn: How a practice of gratitude can help you shift your awareness  Why thinking we’re in control is at the root of most of our problems  Why it’s good to work toward a goal, regardless of whether you achieve it How we can free ourselves simply by shifting the thought that the world does not and is not the way we think it should be Why our awareness is like a flashlight, and where we shine it makes all the difference How your work can be part of your spiritual path, and not separate from it How surrendering control can be good for business  How you can make an impact through your daily actions Why he believes we as a species are better off than we ever have been before The practice he does daily to keep himself aware and present  His top recommendations for books and how to use them    Learn more from Dr. Sri Rao at the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, May 17 and 18, 2022 in Denver. Register at:  https://consciousentrepreneur.us   Connect with Dr. Rao   Website www.theraoinstitute.com   Facebook www.facebook.com/theraoinstitute   Twitter @srikumarsrao   LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/srikumarsrao   YouTube www.youtube.com/theraoinstitute   Learn More From Dr. Rao   To sign up for his weekly newsletter: www.theraoinstitute.com   For information and application for Creative & Personal Mastery: https://theraoinstitute.com/learn/   For recommended reading:  https://theraoinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CPM-Bibliography-%E2%80%93-The-Rao-Institute.pdf   For information on coaching with Dr. Rao:   http://programs.theraoinstitute.com/coaching   For information on having Dr. Rao as a speaker and to view the video of his talk, featured in TED:  https://theraoinstitute.com/speaking/   Sign up for the 2022 Leading with Genuine Care Retreat! The Leading with Genuine Care Leadership Retreat is a mindfulness meditation retreat specifically designed for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Suitable for meditators at all levels, the retreat will enable you to cultivate a deeper, leadership-based mindfulness practice while in a peaceful and rejuvenating mountain location. Previous attendees have reported experiencing increased productivity, increased focus, and new perspective – among other benefits – as a result of what they learned.  https://www.shambhalamountain.org/program/lgc1022-leadership-retreat-leading-with-genuine-care/ At the retreat you’ll: Unplug from your busy lives Immerse yourself in nature Learn from renowned guides and teachers Connect with other mindful leaders And so much more!    Get Rob’s Weekly Newsletter Never miss an inspiring conve