Thermometers and Thermostats: Setting the Temperature of Your Life

Something incredible happened this week. Twice, actually. Out of the blue, two different people from my life reached out—old colleagues and now friends. They had seen something I’d shared, a message or story, and decided to send me something in return. Not just a quick “hey, great post,” but something meaningful that resonated with them and, apparently, with how they see me and the mission I’m on.

First off, let me tell you how humbling that is. Here I am, pouring my energy into inspiring others, trying to fuel their fires, and what do I get in return? They’re inspiring me. It’s moments like these that remind me why I’m doing this—why this journey, this “Inspired Fire”, matters so much. It’s a ripple effect. And this week, the ripple came back to me in the form of a powerful idea.

The Ripple Effect of Inspiration

It was simple but profound. A friend sent me this idea they’d come across, knowing it would strike a chord:

There are two types of people in this world—thermometer people and thermostat people.

Think about it for a second. Thermometers? They reflect the temperature of their environment. They’re reactive, completely at the mercy of the conditions around them. If it’s cold, they drop. If it’s hot, they rise. But thermostats? They set the temperature. They dictate the tone. A thermostat decides how warm or cool a space will be—no matter what’s happening outside.

That analogy hit me square in the chest. How many of us are living as thermometers? Letting our environment, our circumstances, or the mood of those around us dictate our day? Too many of us start our mornings hoping for a "good day," as though the universe owes us one. And when things go sideways—the traffic, the rude email, the unexpected challenge—we react. We sink. We let the world tell us how to feel.

But what if, instead, we were thermostats? What if we decided how our day would go? What if, no matter the chaos or curveballs, we set the temperature to joy, gratitude, and determination? What if we stopped being victims of our environment and became creators of it?

I’ll tell you what happens: everything changes. And the best part? This is something we can control. We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can always change how we show up to them.

As I reflected on this idea, I realized how deeply it ties into the work I’m doing. This idea of setting the temperature—choosing joy, choosing gratitude—isn’t just a nice theory. It’s leadership at its core.

Setting the Temperature: A Choice, Not a Circumstance

Being a thermostat isn’t always easy. It takes work. It takes intention. But every day, you have the power to wake up and decide:

Will I let external circumstances dictate my mood and energy?

Or will I choose to set the tone for my day—and by extension, for those around me?

The best leaders—in business, in families, in communities—are thermostats. They walk into a room and bring the energy they want to see. They model calm under pressure, positivity in the face of adversity, and gratitude even in tough moments. They don’t just wait for someone else to set the tone; they are the tone-setters.

But you don’t have to be leading a team to be a thermostat. You just have to lead yourself. It starts with the little things—choosing not to fire back that irritated email, pausing to breathe when things don’t go as planned, or simply deciding that today will be a good day because you’re going to make it so.

A New Year, A New Temperature

As the first week of the new year comes to a close, I can’t think of a better time to embrace this idea. Look around at your life. Are you reflecting the energy and circumstances around you, or are you setting the tone? Are you waiting for things to be “just right” before you feel joy, or are you choosing it, regardless?

Because here’s the thing—joy, gratitude, inspiration—they’re not waiting for perfect conditions. They’re waiting for you to set the thermostat. To decide.

And as you do that, you’ll start to see the ripple effect I mentioned earlier. Your energy will influence others. Your choice to lead yourself will inspire those around you. And when that happens, you’re not just setting the temperature for your own life—you’re creating an environment where others can thrive, too. That’s leadership. That’s impact.

A Gentle Nudge

If you’re ready to step into that kind of leadership—to set the temperature for your life and those around you—start by taking my new Leadership Quiz. It’s designed to give you insights into how you’re showing up as a leader and where you can grow. Because the truth is, we’re all capable of being thermostats. Sometimes we just need a little nudge.

So here it is—your nudge. Let’s make this the year you stop reacting and start leading. Let’s make this the year you set the temperature.

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

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