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The Mood Elevator: Take Charge of Your Feelings, Become a Better You
Enjoy the Ride!
We all ride the Mood Elevator up and down every day. How well we do it impacts our relationships, our personal effectiveness, our career, and our experience of life. Most people take that ride for granted—but what if we knew the right buttons to push to move to the top?
In this very practical guide, Larry Senn provides an operating manual to keep you out of the emotional basement. He shows how to interrupt negative thought patterns that keep you stuck on a lower floor—depressed, stressed, anxious, judgmental—and move higher by cultivating mental attitudes like curiosity and gratitude. Through Senn’s decades of work as a consultant, the Mood Elevator has been enthusiastically embraced by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. By sharing his work with a wider audience, Senn hopes to help all of us live life at our best.
We all ride the Mood Elevator up and down every day. How well we do it impacts our relationships, our personal effectiveness, our career, and our experience of life. Most people take that ride for granted—but what if we knew the right buttons to push to move to the top?
In this very practical guide, Larry Senn provides an operating manual to keep you out of the emotional basement. He shows how to interrupt negative thought patterns that keep you stuck on a lower floor—depressed, stressed, anxious, judgmental—and move higher by cultivating mental attitudes like curiosity and gratitude. Through Senn’s decades of work as a consultant, the Mood Elevator has been enthusiastically embraced by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. By sharing his work with a wider audience, Senn hopes to help all of us live life at our best.
232 pages, Paperback
Published August 14, 2017
68 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 6, 2021
A charming-enough read, but books like this feel more like some kind of sales pitch to me, or corporate presentation, with constant use of their "trademark" term, in this case "The Mood Elevator". It's a metaphor with fairly limited use over, say, a simple mood spectrum, but it gets constantly pitched, always capitalized, like it's a real thing, and not just a limited metaphor. Some parts could serve as an intro to the concept of mindfulness, which I understand has been having a moment, but is genuinely a helpful concept when it comes to managing the ups and downs of life. Didn't really dive deeply into any psychology - would have appreciated more than passing reference to the connection between thoughts and moods, as it relates to psychological theory.
December 8, 2021
The concept of The Mood Elevator (or 'lift' for those on the other side of the pond!) is interesting, arguably has a lot that can be learned from.
However, I felt that this book was a lot longer than it needed to be and focused more on the authors' individual life stories rather than how best to implement this methods teachings.
Not a bad read; however, a lot of it can be skipped over.
However, I felt that this book was a lot longer than it needed to be and focused more on the authors' individual life stories rather than how best to implement this methods teachings.
Not a bad read; however, a lot of it can be skipped over.
July 14, 2018
Очень слабо, надуманные примеры.
January 12, 2023
Got stuck on the third floor.
September 2, 2017
Have you ever worked with moody people and you never know what will set them off? One minute they are happy go lucky and the next minute they are exploding or may be seemingly depressed. Perhaps you ARE one of these people!
We all get so wrapped up in our lives that we seldom give enough thought as to why we are angry or full of life when we really shouldn’t be. If you want to learn how to recognize when your mood is shifting and try to get a handle on it before you crash, pick up Dr. Larry Senn’s book The Mood Elevator.
The Mood Elevator illustrates how our moods are just like a moving elevator. We tend to go up or down depending on our situation or activities that are swirling around us every day. Naturally, our goal is to ride up to the top floor which is “grateful” and staying there as opposed to falling fast to the basement and land at “depressed”. There are 19 floors on the elevator and we should focus more on how to move up a floor as opposed to dropping.
Dr. Senn reinforces the idea that our moods are controlled by what we make of circumstances – our thoughts. Once you learn to better control your responses to the things that happen to you in life, the more you can take control of your moods. We all know that our thoughts drive us every day however, most of us haven’t learned how to master our moods so that we feel less stressed, more in sync with those around us, and find clearer thinking. When we are at the top of the elevator we are our best selves and have more of a presence with what we see around us. When we ride the elevator up and down we become temperamental and can’t stop ourselves from dropping or we become stuck.
Guess what the “middle” floor of our elevator is? Curiously. It remains the dividing line between going up the elevator and crashing down. Curiosity encourages us to be present and ask questions which drives our behavior and mood upward. Curiosity is a pattern disrupter and feeds us with the thoughts that keep us moving forward.
The Mood Elevator really is a book that we should all pick up and read if we want to remain healthy and positive while being present every day. If you can learn how to control your emotions and sense when your elevator is dropping you will live a happier life and positively impact those around you.
We all get so wrapped up in our lives that we seldom give enough thought as to why we are angry or full of life when we really shouldn’t be. If you want to learn how to recognize when your mood is shifting and try to get a handle on it before you crash, pick up Dr. Larry Senn’s book The Mood Elevator.
The Mood Elevator illustrates how our moods are just like a moving elevator. We tend to go up or down depending on our situation or activities that are swirling around us every day. Naturally, our goal is to ride up to the top floor which is “grateful” and staying there as opposed to falling fast to the basement and land at “depressed”. There are 19 floors on the elevator and we should focus more on how to move up a floor as opposed to dropping.
Dr. Senn reinforces the idea that our moods are controlled by what we make of circumstances – our thoughts. Once you learn to better control your responses to the things that happen to you in life, the more you can take control of your moods. We all know that our thoughts drive us every day however, most of us haven’t learned how to master our moods so that we feel less stressed, more in sync with those around us, and find clearer thinking. When we are at the top of the elevator we are our best selves and have more of a presence with what we see around us. When we ride the elevator up and down we become temperamental and can’t stop ourselves from dropping or we become stuck.
Guess what the “middle” floor of our elevator is? Curiously. It remains the dividing line between going up the elevator and crashing down. Curiosity encourages us to be present and ask questions which drives our behavior and mood upward. Curiosity is a pattern disrupter and feeds us with the thoughts that keep us moving forward.
The Mood Elevator really is a book that we should all pick up and read if we want to remain healthy and positive while being present every day. If you can learn how to control your emotions and sense when your elevator is dropping you will live a happier life and positively impact those around you.
January 23, 2022
The basic concept of this explained in the first chapter is quite interesting, ie we can chart the ups and downs of our moods and by doing so, apply brakes to our descent to remain on the ‘upper floors’.
The last chapter (16) offers a useful checklist of methods to achieve this.
So why only 3 stars? Because the rest of the book is padding and, to a lesser degree, an extended advert for Larry Senn and his consultancy company, Senn Delaney.
If you have a ‘curious’ mindset you will grasp the concept very quickly and can skip straight to chapter 16.
The last chapter (16) offers a useful checklist of methods to achieve this.
So why only 3 stars? Because the rest of the book is padding and, to a lesser degree, an extended advert for Larry Senn and his consultancy company, Senn Delaney.
If you have a ‘curious’ mindset you will grasp the concept very quickly and can skip straight to chapter 16.
October 21, 2017
For those who have voraciously ingest any titles written about how and why humans behave, and who pay close attention to the most current research, this book will hold few surprises in terms of content. You'll find chapters on nutrition, mindfulness, positive thinking, and a great deal about perceptions, experience, and adult learning, as well as much more.
The value of The Mood Elevator is not just in bringing new ideas to the attention of us all ... it's in the comprehensive and engaging packaging of that information. The author has a conversational style, well seasoned with real-life examples (sometimes using himself), and a nice way of wrapping each section up and tying it to the others.
This makes for an enjoyable read and a valuable resource. While some might find the elevator analogy a bit cheesy, when you really start applying it on a daily basis, the cheesiness goes away quickly. You are left with a powerful and easy-to-use visual tool to help you adapt not just your behavior, but your emotions to create a more positive space for yourself and others.
Other popular books about human behavior and change go into more detail about one aspect or another of becoming a more healthy and successful person, but few others have provided so much in a relatively small book.
Excellent addition to your personal and professional development library ... and as gifts for those about whom you care.
The value of The Mood Elevator is not just in bringing new ideas to the attention of us all ... it's in the comprehensive and engaging packaging of that information. The author has a conversational style, well seasoned with real-life examples (sometimes using himself), and a nice way of wrapping each section up and tying it to the others.
This makes for an enjoyable read and a valuable resource. While some might find the elevator analogy a bit cheesy, when you really start applying it on a daily basis, the cheesiness goes away quickly. You are left with a powerful and easy-to-use visual tool to help you adapt not just your behavior, but your emotions to create a more positive space for yourself and others.
Other popular books about human behavior and change go into more detail about one aspect or another of becoming a more healthy and successful person, but few others have provided so much in a relatively small book.
Excellent addition to your personal and professional development library ... and as gifts for those about whom you care.
June 26, 2018
2.5 stars
Audiobook: Audio quality: Barely OK, Narration: OK
There are some logical suggestions and valid points, though most of them originate from other self-help books. Unfortunately many readers might question the authors foresight and judgment after reading that he had deliberately decided to sire a child at the age of sixty five!
The biggest flaw of this book are the author's constant advertising for his company and his nonstop hints and reminder that he and his family are religious practicing Christians, though the latter wouldn't have been out of place if it had been limited to the section about faith.
The author also contradicts himself a few times, though this is more about the picture he is drawing of himself than the point he is trying to make!
All in all it wasn't a bad book but there are much better alternatives available.
Audiobook: Audio quality: Barely OK, Narration: OK
There are some logical suggestions and valid points, though most of them originate from other self-help books. Unfortunately many readers might question the authors foresight and judgment after reading that he had deliberately decided to sire a child at the age of sixty five!
The biggest flaw of this book are the author's constant advertising for his company and his nonstop hints and reminder that he and his family are religious practicing Christians, though the latter wouldn't have been out of place if it had been limited to the section about faith.
The author also contradicts himself a few times, though this is more about the picture he is drawing of himself than the point he is trying to make!
All in all it wasn't a bad book but there are much better alternatives available.
July 19, 2021
I started this book three times in the last four years but couldn't get into it. After some trying times at work I thought I would give it another shot. Although the principles in the book are strong, I'm not sure the execution is worth the read. I found myself skimming most and not being captivated by the anecdotes in between. Overall I think this book could be summarized in a few short bullet chapters, if not bullet points.
As for helping my mood at work, time will tell but I do feel I have more tools to keep me prepared.
As for helping my mood at work, time will tell but I do feel I have more tools to keep me prepared.
February 18, 2018
I wish I had read this book 10 years ago. My life would have been much better if I had.
July 16, 2018
Nothing spectacular, nothing ‘wow’. Yet, simple notions, on mental and physical health and wellbeing, told in simple words and supplemented with examples for both corporate and personal use. Nice concept on the mood levels everybody runs into his daily life, easy to grasp and understand.
If you are bored with the book initially, as I was because I didn’t find anything new in it, and you want to leave it away, just read one chapter - Chapter 12 on honoring our separate realities. This chapter alone could be a great idea for a book to be written. I find that principles described in this chapter are important for all human beings, and, if understood properly, could greatly improve one’s life.
If you are bored with the book initially, as I was because I didn’t find anything new in it, and you want to leave it away, just read one chapter - Chapter 12 on honoring our separate realities. This chapter alone could be a great idea for a book to be written. I find that principles described in this chapter are important for all human beings, and, if understood properly, could greatly improve one’s life.
April 5, 2020
Well Presented
Life’s examples makes this book a much better read. Larry thank you for sharing and presenting the Mood Elevator. The Mood Elevator cards are very helpful in the pdf format.
Life’s examples makes this book a much better read. Larry thank you for sharing and presenting the Mood Elevator. The Mood Elevator cards are very helpful in the pdf format.
April 14, 2023
Ничего революционного в этой книге я не нашла, впрочем, как и в большинстве книг по саморазвитию. Но все же полезные идеи есть, книга натолкнула меня на некоторые интересные мысли. Читается легко и довольно быстро, из раздражающего, пожалуй, только реклама консалтинговой фирмы автора🥲
June 22, 2019
I heard this idea the first time, it sounds interesting. A book like other books about success. I found some useful scripts.
April 7, 2020
This book was good and helpful... The "power of faith" chapter turned me away though.
August 29, 2020
Somewhat useful advice about how to be more mindful about our mood.
January 15, 2021
This wasn't a book I enjoyed, unfortunately. I expected to resonate with the topic at hand, and I understand that it will fit with some people, but it wasn't for me.
June 18, 2021
All true but not much practical help.
March 17, 2024
Nothing new or special. It is a lot of pages for telling you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and think positively.
April 29, 2025
Good examples for real life and universal implementation
October 29, 2025
This book has great tips on how to move yourself up the mood elevator. Helpful tools that will have you thinking about ways to improve your life
July 29, 2019
How many of you have felt frustrated at work? Often these feelings come after an interaction with another employee whether they are a peer, a subordinate or a leader. Thinking about the time that frustration, how many of you have taken a step back to think about the other persons perspective and analyzed the comment or situation with curiosity instead of letting it fester for the rest of the day, week or even longer? The answer is probably not often which is why I’m writing a review on this book.
The Mood Elevator is a concept developed by Larry Senn and his organization, Senn Delaney. Senn Delaney is a culture-shaping organization that helps other organizations redefine who they are and what they want to be to become better employees, better managers, and better organizations. I was first introduced to the concept of the Mood Elevator and Senn Delaney when I attended a culture-shaping workshop at a past employer. Even though I was familiar with the Mood Elevator, I decided to read the book as a refresher and to re-ground myself in the concepts.
A significant part of being at your best is being aware of your mood because moods play a key role in our actions, conversations, encounters with others and even our perception of others. Our mood can change in just a few moments and is fluctuating throughout the day affecting the quality of our thinking. Low moods are the result of low-quality thinking and higher moods are the result of higher-quality thinking.
Look at the mood elevator and think about where you are when you are at your best. Think about where you are when you are not at your best. It’s normal to ride up and down the mood elevator but how would it feel to be able to take control of the floors that you stop at throughout the day? That’s the insight you will gain from reading this book. You’ll learn what drives the mood elevator and how to escape the unhealthy normal that can get us stuck on a lower floor. You’ll learn about the power of curiosity and how approaching each situation by first asking questions will change your mood and the outcome in a positive way.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have and find the concepts as insightful and life changing as I have.
You can learn more about Senn Delaney by visiting their website https://www.senndelaney.com and follow Larry Senn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrysenn.
The Mood Elevator is a concept developed by Larry Senn and his organization, Senn Delaney. Senn Delaney is a culture-shaping organization that helps other organizations redefine who they are and what they want to be to become better employees, better managers, and better organizations. I was first introduced to the concept of the Mood Elevator and Senn Delaney when I attended a culture-shaping workshop at a past employer. Even though I was familiar with the Mood Elevator, I decided to read the book as a refresher and to re-ground myself in the concepts.
A significant part of being at your best is being aware of your mood because moods play a key role in our actions, conversations, encounters with others and even our perception of others. Our mood can change in just a few moments and is fluctuating throughout the day affecting the quality of our thinking. Low moods are the result of low-quality thinking and higher moods are the result of higher-quality thinking.
Look at the mood elevator and think about where you are when you are at your best. Think about where you are when you are not at your best. It’s normal to ride up and down the mood elevator but how would it feel to be able to take control of the floors that you stop at throughout the day? That’s the insight you will gain from reading this book. You’ll learn what drives the mood elevator and how to escape the unhealthy normal that can get us stuck on a lower floor. You’ll learn about the power of curiosity and how approaching each situation by first asking questions will change your mood and the outcome in a positive way.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have and find the concepts as insightful and life changing as I have.
You can learn more about Senn Delaney by visiting their website https://www.senndelaney.com and follow Larry Senn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrysenn.
August 19, 2018
Easy text to read during commute. I took only one idea from the whole book: You are responsible for your mood. This truism sounds a bit familiar for everyone, isn't it? :)
December 25, 2020
The idea is great; the book is fine.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews