How Your Mood Shapes the Rest of Your Day
“The way you start your day determines how well you live your day.” — Robin Sharma.
Have you ever considered how you feel in the morning can set the tone for your entire day? Your mood isn’t just a reflection of how you feel; it’s a ripple effect that can influence your decisions, relationships, and overall success. Managing your emotions can help you take control of your day and your life. Imagine if you could master your mood by turning it into a powerful tool for success instead of an obstacle. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees who experienced more positive emotions were more likely to be rated as high performers by their supervisors. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to take control of your feelings, transform bad moods into growth opportunities, and create a life where you’re in charge of how you show up every day.
How you start your day often dictates its trajectory. Think about the last time you woke up in a bad mood and how it spoiled the rest of your day. What if you could take control of your mood early on before it spirals out of control? The effect of a positive mood includes improved decision-making, better relationships, and increased focus. I know what it’s like to feel in a bad mood for no apparent reason, and I’m sure you can also relate. It can be challenging to deal with those feelings, and it’s okay to acknowledge them. It would ruin my day in the past because I believed my mood was set in stone. However, as I learned to manage my emotions, I could take control of how I felt and use it to empower my day.
For instance, when writing this article, I woke up feeling tired and unmotivated to swim at my local swimming pool. I usually swim laps three times a week, but I lacked the motivation to show up on this occasion. Nevertheless, I dressed, packed my bags, and drove to the pool. As I plunged into the water, my mind shouted excuses to stop after a few laps. My arms and legs felt heavy, and I questioned why I bothered showing up. However, by the tenth lap, something shifted; my strokes felt smoother, and my breathing was steadier. By the time I finished, the tiredness I experienced that morning had softened into a peaceful sense of accomplishment. Is this something you’ve experienced whether related to exercise, work, or something else? What turned things around for you? It’s clear that while we may not be able to control external circumstances, we have the power to control our internal response. Moreover, just because we’re in a bad mood doesn’t mean it has to ruin our day or affect our performance.
Just as I experienced being unmotivated to swim, our emotions can influence our internal confidence and how others interact with us. Think about people who always seem to be in a lousy mood. They may not have learned how to manage their emotions and allow their moods to overpower them without understanding why. A positive emotional state can attract opportunities, build trust, and open doors that negativity would shut. A positive emotional state allows us to show up to life in the best possible way—and create circumstances aligned with our best potential. Consider leaders, athletes, or people who achieve success by harnessing their emotional state. I encourage you to think of your mood as a magnet whereby what you project into the world returns to you. Your mood is a powerful signal that broadcasts who you are and what you attract into your life.
Simple Strategies to Master Your Mood
“You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” — Wayne Dyer.
Moments like I described earlier remind us that while we cannot always control how we feel, we can control our response. Here’s how you can take charge of your emotions in practical ways:
1. Gratitude practice:
You may wish to start or end the day by listing three things you are grateful for that can help foster a positive outlook. Don’t discount the value of this simple yet powerful practice. The key to gratitude lies in orienting your mind to what is valued in your life. Therefore, if we have a habit of being in a bad mood, this can cause us to focus on negative aspects of our lives instead of appreciating what we are grateful for.
2. Visualization:
You can visualize how you want your day to unfold, whether the night before or after waking up in the morning. I have been using this practice for many years. The principles are simple and require tapping into the creative aspects of the subconscious mind—using imagery and emotion to shape and direct what we wish to experience in our waking state.
3. Surroundings and relationships:
We should spend time with uplifting people or create an environment that inspires joy. If you work in a toxic work environment, this can negatively influence your mood. You may take this negative mood home, which discolors your relationship with your loved ones. Therefore, a positive environment creates ideal conditions that put us in a better mood.
4. Self-compassion:
Similarly, we should give ourselves grace on bad days and use self-talk to bounce back when circumstances don’t go as planned. As mentioned earlier, I didn’t feel like swimming since I had woken up unmotivated to do so—but through self-talk and committed action, I changed my mood. The common theme here is the importance of consistency and how small changes accumulated over time create lasting emotional habits.
The transformative potential of mastering our emotions is well documented. As we direct our moods and feelings, we build greater resilience and deeper relationships while progressing toward our goals. Even small changes in how we manage our mood can lead to significant results over time. In other words, one good day can create a chain reaction, fueling more success and positivity over time. It may be challenging when you first set out to improve your mood. But I encourage you to stick with it since your mind and body require time and patience to adjust to the new way of being. Transformation is a journey; you hold the key to unlocking your potential. Please don’t succumb to 95% of people who are controlled by their external reality. They allow what is happening outside them to influence how they think, feel, and act. As a qualified life coach and author, I’ve had many years of experience guiding people to intentionally take charge of their lives by changing how they feel inside, and you can, too.
As we wrap up, think about how you can start taking intentional steps to manage your emotions and make them work in your favor. Whether you’re practicing gratitude, visualizing a joyous day, fostering positive connections, or showing compassion during tough times, start small and stay consistent. The key is to show up for yourself, even when it feels challenging. Investing in your emotional well-being lays the foundation for a purpose, joy, and success-filled life. Remember, the power to change your life starts with mastering your mood—one choice, one moment at a time. Start today. You’re worth it.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
Are you ready to transform your life and unlock your potential? Start your journey with me today! My Life Coaching Program has empowered many to achieve lasting change. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation now and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you.
Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach