Act the Way I Want to Feel

How a quote scribbled on a Post-it helps keep me in check 

Several years ago, I scribbled, “Act the way I want to feel” on a Post-it note and stuck it to my computer. It’s been there for so long I actually had to Google where I heard it first.

Now, I’m not sure who actually gets credit for the quote but I think I wrote it down after reading Gretchen Rubin’s wildly successful book, The Happiness Project where she dedicated a year to finding her own way to happiness.

“Act the way you want to feel,” it sounds so simple, right? A, “fake it till you make it” pump-up that can be downright helpful especially when you're in the moment and need to act.

If you break it down though, “Act the way you want to feel” is about shifting your mindset which isn’t always easy, especially in that moment when you need it the most.

I’ve used the quote a lot over the years. It’s a nice little nudge hanging out in my peripheral vision. It always causes me to pause and think so I feel like it actually helps.

On occasion I have pulled and teased it out a bit and used it as more of a, “If I do this — I’ll feel that” kind of mind shift. This I save for more dire, WTF moments where I need more than a gentle nudge or a quick reminder.

It doesn’t always work, I’ll be honest. Sometimes I’m too far down the rabbit hole to change my mindset. But if I catch myself quickly enough I stand with my hands on my hips (The Wonder Woman power pose), smile and say out loud, while looking into a mirror:

Act the way I want to feel.

Act the way I want to feel.

Act the way I want to feel.

Next time you need a pump-up give it a try. Three times is usually just enough oomph to switch my mindset.