Operate According to your Plan, Not your Mood
Personal Effectiveness Training: Operate According to Your Plan, Not Your Mood
I would like to suggest that we should try to live by the following maxim: Operate according to your plan, not your mood.
If you operate according to your plan, not your mood, then your life will tend to follow the track laid down by your plan; and that would lead you step by step closer to your goals. If you make steps towards your goals you will feel good, since we all feel good when we are making progress.
If you DON'T operate according to your plan; if instead, you operate according to your mood, then your life will tend to follow a chaotic path, since our moods are transient and ever changing.
Your moods are up one day, down the next; you feel energetic one day, tired the next; you feel optimistic one day, anxious the next. Our emotions and moods are affected by so many things like the weather, that they are always in a state of flux and change.
Because your emotions and moods are always in a state of flux and change, they should not be the basis of your action. If action is to be effective action, then it needs to be purposeful, consistent and systematic. And that is just what moods are NOT.
That is why moody people tend not to get such good results. Moody people are inconsistent. If they know they should do something, but they are not in the mood to do it, they don't do it.
- Moody people say to themselves, "I know I should; I know I could; but I'm not in the mood, so I won't."
- Moody people say to themselves, "I know I should NOT do that, but I am really in the mood, so I will."
- Moody people do things merely because they feel like it, whether or not it is a good action.
Don't be a moody person.
Instead: Operate according to your plan, not your mood.
- If you have a diet plan, eat according to your diet plan, not your mood.
- If you have a business plan, run your business according to your plan, not your mood.
- If you have an exercise plan, do your exercises, even on the days you are not really in the mood.
The reason this is good advice is this: Everyone has two parts to their psyche.
- A logical, rational part.
- An emotional, non-rational part.
The rational part is the part of your psyche that should control the emotional, irrational part. if you act mostly according to the principles of reason, then things will go well for you. If you treat people reasonably, if you solve problems by applying a logical, rational approach; then things will go well for you.
If you don't do that, if instead you are led by the irrational, moody element in your psyche, then things won't go well for you. If you treat people unreasonably, if you try to solve problems by using your gut-feel guesses to pick a winner, then, the chances are you will lose.
Memorise this little ditty:
Don't be governed by guesses.
Don't be moved by moods.
Don't be chaotic in choices.
Don't be faddy with foods.
Be a thoughtful and rational being.
Think things through, logically.
If you do, the results will be thrilling.
And you'll win, spectacularly.
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 Personal Effectiveness
-
The Art of Clear Thinking
Being able to think clearly is a useful skill. Learn how to distinguish the difference between arbitrary and possible statements. Seek evidence to support claims that others make, and back up your own points with facts.
Read Article > -
The Essential Economic Principle to Financial Success
To succeed as business owners and managers, grasping economic fundamentals is vital. Key principle: "Spend less than you earn and invest the surplus in value-generating assets."
Read Article > -
How Can I Make People Like Me?
Everyone wants to be liked by others. Being honest and trustworthy, is a good start. Here are ten tips to remember if you want to be liked and admired by others. Try one today, you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Read Article > -
How to Use the Pleasure/Pain Principle
Bad habits tend to be pleasurable. Eating unhealthily might be pleasurable at the time, but the long term consequences, could lead to pain, quite literally. This blog examines why wisdom is the art of thinking long term.
Read Article > -
The Benefits of Following a Good Exercise Programme
Irrespective of who you are, your situation would be better if you improved your physical health. And your health will be improved by the right exercise programme.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 6 days, Online - Teams, places available