A few weeks ago, on the road, I came down with a bad mood.
I say, 'came down,' because it's like a flu for your spirit. It hits you, you feel it, your energy flows to it and life isn't fun. I woke up tired, violated a TWAR rule (don't go online first thing in the morning) and through a link, read something that set me off. I worked, holed up in my hotel room, until lunch, then groused around until my 'gig' that afternoon. Took a deep breath, thinking I could shake it all off and rock-the-mic, and took the stage.
On a scale of one to ten, at best, I gave a 7 that day. And that's NOT acceptable. Sure, it was a promo gig for TWAR (one of three dozen), but still, I should strive for a 9 every single time! The reality is, when your mood state is sour or low, you physically cannot deliver your best. You have voices in your head, limiting your concentration. Your appearance and tone betray your mood, taking away your ability to resonate.
Sure it happens to all of us, and often, we just write off the experience as "woke up on the wrong side of the bed." But since then, I've figured out my funk-busting strategy for next time. Here are the key pieces of advice:
1 - Feed Your Mind A Good Breakfast (every single time!) - Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Because it establishes your metabolism and gives you fuel. This is true for your mind/emotions too. Be very purposeful that you'll be grateful, read good stuff for confidence and talk to someone that's equally positive. Then, face your day with an ounce of prevention from funk.
2 - Love Your Coming Day - Think about what's on your calendar for the day and be grateful for the opportunities it brings you. Too often, we think 'I have to go do this-or-that' and the mindset is all wrong. Later, if you blow it, you'll realize it was an opportunity all along. Also, love the people you will spend time with or serve in the coming day. Re-connect with your purpose (which should be service related) and let that fire you up.
3 - Be Playful With Others - If you suspect that you aren't in the best of moods, fake-it-till-you-make it works. Be a little irreverent, playful and joke around. Horseplay is contagious, and so long as you don't let your mood convert playful into hurtful humor, you'll be OK. I've done this before, and it bleeds into your performance, causing you to smile and be more gracious in the moment.
4 - Use A Mood Crutch - For some, it might be a playlist of makes-you-happy music. Listen to four of five tunes on your iPod before daily performances/tasks for a boost. For others, reach out to your laugh line. Someone who is always positive for you. Confess you fear you are in a bad mood and ask him/her to tell you something funny or exciting. Pick up a Good Book that inspires you and invest ten minutes reading from it. Those authors are there for you. Don't go down alone!
5 - Think About Something You Are Looking Forward To - Visualize your coming vacation, party or concert you are attending. Imagine all the sights, sounds and experiences you'll have. Connect the coming day's work with these opportunities in your life, because you can't be hateful when you are grateful.
If you have another funk buster or good mood guarantee, contribute it in the comments.
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