Managing Your Mood

A few years ago, at a Columbia Business School-hosted event, Warren Buffett was asked what he thought were the keys to success.  He named three – the first of which was consistency.  (Focus and staying positive were the other two).  Let’s address the first one.

While being consistent in the quality of your work is fundamental, being consistent in your mood is equally important.   People in the workplace should not have to wonder whether or not they ought to approach you at this time or that, depending on the kind of mood you are in.  If you are prone to highs and lows during the business day, you need to work on reigning in such swings, so that you are constantly communicating the steady pace at which you operate.  That way people will sense your stability at all times, even in the face of crisis.  It encourages them to seek your counsel.

Of course, there are other benefits to a consistent, positive mood.  You can communicate with reason.  You think more clearly.  You are in control.  It builds confidence among those you work with.   You are happier with yourself because calmness creates a sense of balance, which is desirable to all parties involved.

Nevertheless, it is a well-known fact that many people tend to get depressed during the holiday season for a variety of reasons:  unmet expectations among them.  But for those who work in offices, it is best if you can contain those holiday blues and sustain an upbeat — if not an even — presence.  When negativity creeps in, I find it is best to take an action, such as exercise.  It brings out the endorphins, which help bring you back to the upbeat professional mood that your associates and clients deserve.