Mastering Your Mood: The Ultimate Productivity Hack

Alright, let us momentarily be real. Have you ever found how completely your day could be ruined or enhanced by your mood? One minute you're ready to take on the globe, and the next even the most little chore seems like conquering Mount Everest. Absolutely, same. The worst part is that your attitude does not just happen. It is not some unquenchable natural power. Not at all; you really are far more in charge of it than you would believe. And after you have that worked out? Sport. Change.

Your Mood is the Productivity Secret Sauce

The deal here is: Your attitude is not only some fluffy, feel-good bonus. Your productivity is driven—or you are slamming on the brakes—by this engine. Consider it. Everything seems simpler in a killing mood, right? Like a boss, you are motivated, focused, and efficient clearing items from your to-do list. Still, catch yourself in a funk? Even brushing your teeth seems like an Olympic activity.

Most of us, though, are not even aware of how much our feelings direct our behavior. Simple and basic, we are emotional beings. And our behavior—or lack thereof—will depend on our level of pumped or drained. The excellent news is you are not a helpless victim of your own mood swings. Actually, you may change your emotional state and turn the productivity switch on as needed. Yes, I know; hang with me here; it sounds almost too good to be true.

Emotional State and Energy: Your Own Greatest Resources

For a moment let us discuss energy. No, not the kind of energy you need another coffee (though, to be honest, caffeine helps). I am referring to the emotional vitality driving your behavior. It makes no difference how sophisticated tools or techniques you have at hand when you're overworked, overburdened, or just plain cranky. Guess what? You may have the perfect detailed road map for success right here. You not will be using it. For what reason? Since your attitude is in the gutter.

The worse is that you can regulate your emotional state and energy. It is not some ethereal, unreachable object. Actually, it's quite simple. All you have to know is where to start.

You Are Your Brain's CEO—Seriously

Alright, now things start to get interesting. Your cerebral cortex? It has a really fascinating component known as the prefrontal cortex. Consider it your brain's CEO. This is the section where you decide what to concentrate on, how to treat oneself, and what questions to pose. You basically control where your mental attention shines.

Let us now be honest—most people do not exercise this power. Rather, they let their attention go to whatever glitter (or less-than-shiny) object catches their eye. And there is where things fall apart. You will feel like garbage if you are continually zeroing in on what is wrong in your life—what is missing, what is out of your control. Envy, annoyance, grief, even full-fledged depression? Indeed, those emotions flourish in such a kind of mental surroundings.

But turn the script over, and the narrative is quite different. Start paying close attention to what's right—that which you are thankful for, your own development, the things you can influence. You suddenly find yourself driven, hopeful, maybe even a bit relentless. There is no magic about it. Just science here. Learn more about the science of productivity on Forbes.

The Habit Trap (with Strategies for Breaking Free)

Most of us are, ironically, running on autopilot. Our ideas and actions are habits we have developed over many years of repetition. So, suppose you have spent much of your life emphasizing the negative? You have it as your default. Still, avoid panic; habits are changeable. You merely have to choose to do it.

The secret is to start modest. Once you refocused, then do it once again and once more until it becomes second nature. And then when it does? Boost. You have just gained superhero ability.

Posture: The Neglected Mood Elevator

Now let's discuss your body, which sounds almost too basic to consider. As it happens, your physical posture can have a huge influence on your emotional state. Not sure I could be right? Let us now delve into some scientific ideas.

Famous TED Talk on body language by Amy Cuddy puts it all out. She discovered that only two minutes of "power poses"—think of standing tall, occupying space, shoulders back—raise testosterone (the confidence hormone) by 20% and cut cortisol (the stress hormone) by 25%. Conversely, slouching or making yourself tiny does the reverse. Your confidence falls, your tension rises, and then you find yourself in a funk. Learn more about body language on Wikipedia.

So, try this next time you feel off: Get tall, ground your feet firmly, and strike a power posture. Though first it may seem a little ridiculous, trust me; it works. Your body is able to literally fool your brain into recovery. Wild, straight?

Love, Loss, and Mood States Slides

Bring this home with something we have all gone through. Recall the first time your head turned completely around for love. Everything seemed great. You wouldn't have cared if the world had been collapsing all around you. Laid off from work. "Eh, not really important; we have each other!". That emotional surge gave you superhuman power.

Imagine now a moment when you were truly depressed—that is, rock bottom down. Perhaps you received some terrible news or had a great failure. In that condition, even the idea of getting off the couch seemed unworkable. That is the power of attitude. It makes everything vibrant.

Mood First, Then Productivity Second

The main line is that you have to address your mood first if you wish to smash your goals and be the most effective version of yourself. If you're in a terrible emotional condition, no elegant planner or productivity trick can help. If you are feeling good, though? You are unbeatable.

So, spend a minute checking in with yourself before starting that large job or difficult assignment. What is your attitude right now? Act if it is not where it should be. Walk, blast your favorite song, inhale deeply, or strike one of those power postures. Do it whatever it takes to enter the correct headspace.

Because you then master your life as you dominate your mood. And quite truthfully? That is the best productivity secret available. Try it; you have nothing to lose and only to gain. For more tips, visit Search Engine Journal.