Tony Robbins believes that, in a lowered emotional state, we only see the problems, not solutions. Let’s say you wake up feeling tired and overwhelmed. You sit down to brainstorm strategies to solve your issues, but it comes to naught, and you feel even worse afterward. This is because you started in a negative state, then attempted strategy but didn’t succeed (due to tunnel vision on the problems), and then likely told yourself self-defeating stories (e.g., “I always do this. Why am I so wound up I can’t even think straight?”). To fix this, he encourages you to “prime” your state first. The biochemistry will help you proactively tell yourself an enabling story. Only then do you think on strategy, as you’ll see the options instead of dead ends. “Priming” my state is often as simple as doing 5 to 10 push-ups or getting 20 minutes of sun exposure. I often ask myself, “Is this really a problem I need to think my way out of? Or is it possible I just need to fix my biochemistry?” I’ve wasted a lot of time journaling on “problems” when I just needed to eat breakfast sooner, do 10 push-ups, or get an extra hour of sleep. Sometimes, you think you have to figure out your life’s purpose, but you really just need some macadamia nuts and a cold fucking shower.
@tferriss i try not to think first thing in the morning and focus on 1) exercise 2) breathing 3) getting outside prime’s me perfectly for the rest of the day
@tferriss Most start the day in a lousy and negative state and therefore generate lousy outcomes.
@tferriss Sunrise light…cold thermogenesis…getting there!
@tferriss Emotional state shifts our perception
this was my biggest takeaway from going to the UPW event by @TonyRobbins last month changing your physiology first — get into that PEAK state Dance, move, smile, “do your move” All of these might seem silly or benign but whenever you feel good approaching life feels easier I’d rather look or feel silly air guitar-ing in my room alone for 10 minutes than go about my day in a low emotional state.
@tferriss Works for public speaking too. Just before, to crush the negative nerves, say: I’m excited to share (x) with people who want to learn about it. If you say I’m nervous- it’s a negative starter. Saying “I’m excited” is stats proven to help.
@tferriss This is basic theory of constructed emotion. You should interview @LFeldmanBarrett for the science, Tim.