create our emotions. It is possible to choose your emotions and to create
them consciously.
For example, if you wished to feel tired and sad right now, what would
you do? Let’s start with your body. How would you use your body to create
a tired and sad feeling? Would you pull your shoulders back, or hunch them
forward? Would you look up or down? Would you smile or frown? In fact,
by simply changing your body you would change your feelings.
To make yourself feel even worse, you would think about sad and
negative things. Perhaps you would think about a big problem you have, or
about a big regret. And what about your voice? You could moan, cry, or
whine, and that would make you feel even worse.
After doing all of the above for a few minutes, you would genuinely
begin to feel sadder and more tired. This is how you consciously can create
a negative emotion.
Of course, this process works for positive emotions too, and that is good
news! How would you make yourself feel more excited right now? Again,
start with the body. Pull your shoulders back and push your chest up and
out. Bring your head up and look straight ahead. Put a big smile on your
face and hold it.
Next, change your thoughts. Think about something great in your life.
Think about the biggest success you have ever had. Think about your future
success speaking English powerfully. Smile bigger. First you are just
pretending, but eventually you will feel stronger and happier. That’s
because your emotions change when your body changes. It’s a simple
technique.
Of course, you can feel even better by using your body even more.
Instead of just standing and smiling, raise your arms over your head. Then
jump in the air like you are celebrating a big victory. And use your voice.
Shout and cheer loudly as you jump and smile and think of wonderful
things. Go crazy! This is called a “peak emotional state,” an intensely
powerful positive emotion.
