State (noun) : the particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.
A state of mind is the connection of emotions and thoughts represented by physical body or vice versa. Thought and external stimuli control states, they are connected to the physiological expression of thoughts. When you change your thoughts, you change your physiology and when you change your physiology you change your state.
To put this as an example, you are late for work, you miss the last parking spot because someone cuts in front of you, you spill your coffee and this sets you up for a morning of negativity. You arrive at work “in a bit of a state” and your co-workers side-step around you to avoid confrontation. Your shoulders hunch, you frown and feel grumpy. You are in a negative state and this sets the tone for the rest of the day.
You then open an email that tells you that you have won an overseas trip for two, all expenses paid and your boss is taking all the staff out to lunch. You sit tall, smile and give your co-workers a high five. In the blink of an eye, you have changed your state to a positive one and everything looks rosy.
This state may change multiple times during the day depending upon the external stimuli and if it is positive, you feel good, walk tall and smile lots whereas if it is negative you feel sad or down, your physical stance is slumped, and you mouth droops.
Are you in control of your state? Yes, you are and you can be, even if things look a bit bleak, just by changing your physiology. Stand tall, breathe deeply, lift the corners of your mouth and a smile will come.
Visualisation of positive thoughts and memories can change your state. By thinking of a time when you felt happy, relaxed and resourceful and reliving that moment can have a hugely positive effect. It may be the sounds of the sea, the smell of freshly baked bread, the feel of warm sunshine on your face or whatever image will provide a positive feeling and by focussing on this image and really feeling “in the moment” can slow your breathing and elicit a positive state. It requires practice and is a very useful tool for changing state from negative to positive. Frequent repetition of this activity can help with a habitual change of state and actively encourage more positivity.
It could also be viewed as seeing the glass half full or half empty. Look at the glass and view it as brimming, rather than dregs.
It is not entirely associated with what life throws at you, but also how you perceive your lot in life.
Life coaching uses this as one of the tools for positive change. It is a way of tapping into your resourcefulness and looking for the positivity of emotional response. Maxwell Coaching works with you to learn this tool which in time can work in your favour in times of difficulty.
Comments