How to Change the Way you Feel
How to change the way you feel.
You can change the way you feel by changing what you focus upon.
At any single moment you are surrounded by thousands of things you could attend to.
At the same moment, your mind could think about a million different things from your past, present or future.
How you feel at any given moment, will depend upon what you CHOOSE to focus your mind upon.
- If you focus on the things that are bad, then you will feel bad.
- If you focus on the things that are good, you will feel good.
- If you focus on the things that are terrific, you will feel terrific.
Theoretically, if you were selective in your focus, you could feel terrific, all day, every day; alternatively, if you are selective in your focus you could feel terrible, all day, every day.
And sadly, many people do.
The best way to change how you feel is to become more conscious of what you are focusing your attention upon.
If you don't like how you are feeling, then you can change it, by changing what you are CHOOSING to focus upon.
For example, I recently attended a wedding, that was held in mid-august, in Gloucestershire.
We all expected it to be dry, hot, sunny, summer's day.
But on the morning of the wedding, the sky darkened ominously, the wind blew stronger and cold rain began to fall.
The mood of the family could easily have been negatively affected by the intrusion of bad weather.
But it did not affect the family.
Why? Because the family decided to focus on what WAS terrific:
- The bride looked terrific.
- The groom looked terrific.
- The food was terrific.
In fact, everything was terrific, except the weather. So, we ignored the weather and we focused on what was good.
Be more selective in your mental focus
To redirect your mental focus away from what is bad, and towards other things that are good, is an option always open to everyone.
You can change the way you feel by being more selective in your mental focus.
People who are down on themselves, or down on the world, feel that way because they have adopted a habitual-system of thought, that picks-out what is wrong, in any situation, and they make that wrong thing their main focus.
As a result, they feel bad.
On the other hand, people who are feeling good about themselves and good about the world, feel that way because they have adopted an opposite thought process; one that selects what is good in any situation, and they and make that the main focus of their attention.
As a result, they feel terrific.
You can train yourself to do that and that would change your personal reality.
Definition: Selective attention
Selective attention is a personal development technique. You pick on purpose the sights, sounds and thoughts you let in. You block out the bad or useless ones. This switch alters how you feel straight away. The skill grows stronger with steady daily use, so you steer mood at will.
Show CG4D Definition
- You choose targets for thought and sense input on purpose
- You shut out negative or irrelevant information
- The choice changes emotional state immediately
- Skill improves through repeated, daily practice
Article Summary
Change what you focus on and you change how you feel; choose the good, ignore the bad, and you train your mind to lift mood on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
How can I change how I feel fast?
What is selective attention in this context?
Why does positive focus lift mood?
Can bad weather still be a good day?
How do I spot a negative focus habit?
How long to train my mind to feel better?
What nightly exercise improves mood?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2024 Mental Health Foundation survey finds that 67% of UK adults feel anxious at least once a week. A 2024 University College London study shows that writing three good things each day lifts self-reported happiness by 25% after six months.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Motivation
-
How to Inspire Others
Learn five simple methods to inspire others: speak with positive words, set shared goals, highlight optimism, lead by example and reframe failure into growth.
Read Article > -
How to Find Positive Motivation
Learn six clear steps to build positive motivation: set goals, write an action plan, pick positive people, use role models, boost energy, keep learning daily.
Read Article > -
Motivational Management: Positive Mental Attitude
Learn eight clear steps to develop a positive mental attitude, boost self confidence and stop negative talk. Apply them today to turn your goals into results.
Read Article > -
How to be Happy and Successful
Discover how life balance and smart goal setting prevent neglect, boost health, enrich relationships and drive personal success. Learn steps to stay happy.
Read Article > -
How to Motivate Someone to Change
Learn how to motivate someone with the Pleasure–Pain Questioning Technique. Two questions expose long-term pain and pleasure, igniting lasting behaviour change.
Read Article >
Looking for Leadership and Management Training?
If you're looking to develop your Motivation Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 10 days, London - Central, places available