Create the state, don’t wait!

January’s bleak.

It’s cold outside. My news feed is depressing. There are no real holidays until Easter, and no days off until Memorial Day.

It makes me want to hibernate.

But I have some big goals that I want to accomplish this year. I’m creating, growing, and refining my business. I have a kid who needs to think about college. And my community needs some leadership from me. And so, sadly, hibernation is not an option.

Instead, I’m concentrating on finding ways to change my state, to take that sad, low-energy, frustrated, angry, confused state (that usually follows me spending too much time looking at my phone), and turn it into something that gives me the energy and agency to accomplish those goals I’m committed to.

Thankfully, I’ve curated a long list of things that can help with that. Including:

• Dancing like no one is watching
• Walking outside and looking at natural beauty.
• Reading a book that inspires me.
• Hugging a family member.
• Gratitude journaling.
• Going to the gym.
• Singing the rock songs of my youth at full volume.
• And so many more.

I actually made a list of 100 ways to change my state, so now, when I’m feeling that post-scrolling hangover, or the famous Chicago gray day with 7 hours of daylight gets to me, I pick something off the list and change my state.

I can create my state

If I’m committed to my goals, I can’t wait for Spring to come, peace to break out, harmony between political parties, or any other external event to give me permission to get things done. I own my state – if I notice I’m not in a productive state, I change it.

What state do you need to be in to be at your best today? What could you do to create that state?

Do you have a go-to method to change your state? Hit reply and I’ll add it to my list!