The Secret to Feeling Better? Get Something Done

Ever notice how on days when you’re feeling a little down, you look back and realize… you didn’t get much done? It’s easy to say the low mood came first — maybe you just weren’t up to it, or something knocked you off your game. But in my experience, it’s usually the other way around.

The lack of production comes first. And then morale takes a hit.

Over the years, I’ve become convinced that production is the true index and precursor to morale. When you’ve had a productive day — even just knocked out a few worthwhile things — you feel better. There’s a sense of motion, of accomplishment. It’s something deep inside us. A knowingness. A desire to do well, to contribute, to make the world a little better.

We know when we’ve done that. And we also know when we’ve missed the mark.

Most people, deep down, are good. They have an innate sense of right and wrong, even if they don’t always act on it. When we shirk our duties or avoid what we know needs doing, we feel it in our gut.

So can we control our moods? For the most part — yes.

The key is simple: do something. Don’t overthink it. Start. Create. Move. Get something done that’s worthwhile. It doesn’t have to be huge. Just forward motion. And like the sunrise — inevitable and glorious — that good mood will follow.

Need a reset button? Get busy. Build, write, clean, fix, help, improve — whatever it is, just do. And suddenly, life looks a lot brighter.