Cajole Yourself into a Good Mood Before Work
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Before your work day starts rolling, take a look around you and see if you notice a pattern. Do people have expressions that might convey that they just survived a bug bomb wake-up call? I know many of my past and present co-workers often have this look.
Do you feel like you might fall into the bug-bomb-facial category? Then try a little experiment for the next thirty days and see how it makes you feel.
Cajole Yourself Into a Good Mood
Don’t fall into your normal routine! That’s an order. You need to shake up your day right from the get go. If you like to take a shower in the morning and it brings you happiness, then by all means do it. However, if you turn on the news to wake up and there are nothing but depressing stories then it’s time to change the habits that have become routine but don’t bring you any joy.
I like to stand on one foot while I brush my teeth because it helps me focus my thoughts then I get in the shower. About ten years ago I thought that I would save time by taking a shower at night. It wrecked my whole next day. I felt dirty and could never get my energy going. So there’s no need to change the things that bring you joy because you may regret it. Instead, you should focus on those activities that bring you happiness and find a substitute for the ones that don’t.
Here’s an example of some of my favorite “good mood” activities. After my shower I prepare cereal for my wife and myself. It usually has fresh strawberries and bananas on top. It makes me happy just thinking about its glorious tastes. Then we exercise and get the blood pumping to wake ourselves up. I then take 20 minutes to do some Yoga. It relaxes me and allows me to continue the good mood cajoling. After 20 minutes of Yoga I have a hop in my step and then it’s off to work.
I get in my car and put on my cell phone headset and call the people that I love. It’s usually my mother, father, brother, cousin or a good friend. We catch up and make each other laugh. I sometimes fall into the trap of getting caught up in my worries. When this happens I take a deep breath and focus on all the splendor that I’m passing by – the trees, an old lady waiting to cross the street and the driver with a long red beard next to me at the red light.
Find Your Sweet Spot
We all have that sweet spot that can help our day start off on a happy foot. Sometimes it takes a little cajoling, but believe me, when you practice cajoling yourself into a good mood you’ll make your day so much more enjoyable.
What do you do to put yourself in a good mood before you start your day?
Other “Emotional Tools” Related Articles:
- Use Failure as Your Slingshot
- Create the Work Atmosphere You Want
- Renew Your Thoughts to Improve Your Work Outlook
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Image courtesy of Bukutgirl
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Music, music, music… And maybe a few minutes to pet the dog. I keep my car’s CD player loaded with happy music. Silly songs (cheesy hair metal, Right Said Fred, ridiculously explicit hip hop) also help me make sure I’m not taking myself too seriously.
Sara at On Simplicity’s last blog post..The Simple Guide to RSS Readers
Hi Karl,
What a great reminder.
For me, the first thing I do (as I drink a cup of coffee) is write in my gratitude journal. I look out the window at the beauty that surrounds me and write about all I’m grateful for.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..This NBOTW Will Make Your Laugh
Hey Sara, nothing like a little Eminem to wake up the soul.
Hey Barbara, a gratitude journal is an excellent way to keep on appreciating the beauty that is in your life.
Music like Prodigy’s helps me start the day rosy and rockin’!
Alfa’s last blog post..Accessory to Make a Chair Ergonomic for the Disabled
Hey Alfa, never would use Prodigy myself, but that would sure get someone moving.