This’ll be quick. State and mindset are often used interchangeably, as if they’re the same thing. They are not. Focus and attention as well, are used as replacements for the other. They, too, are not, though.

STATE. Your momentary or temporary physiological frame of mind. Tired. Sad. Angry. Frustrated. Shocked. Disgusted. All affected by outside stimulus that shapes your inward mood. Lack of sleep, fight with significant other, hungry, preoccupied, stressed because of work. These all manifest themselves as states, a temporary physiological frame that affects decision-making, choice, awareness, response, message (whether corporal or verbal) Micro. It can be altered by conscious-breathing, tai chi/chi kung, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, a nature walk, enjoyed activities, prayer, going for coffee or a movie, spending time with loved ones and a host of others. In the personal preservation world, your state can be that of rage, anger, indignation, focus, protectiveness. State can be altered intentionally with anchors and set triggers. It can be soft-wired with scenario-training or role-play, hypnosis or guided imagery, thorough thought on context, or an abrupt, or drastic change in attitude. A state-change is something that needs to brought-up on a dime…suddenly, without hesitation when circumstance dictates it’s needed. Going from calm and composed to a “hungry tiger” the minute a serious threat is present is an example of a state-change of shift.

MINDSET. How do decide to carry yourself daily. Mentality. Macro. What frame of mind you’re going to take regarding a particular element in your life or your life in general. Your outlook. End results – what you’re willing to go the extra mile and what not, along with a clear evaluation of particular contexts that affect that approach. In the personal preservation sense, this is what you’re willing to fight for. Die for. Kill for. Utilize violence as a tool for. React to. What is self-defense and what is not. What environments, cultures, and regular situations you face may indeed call for different mindsets. You’ve gone over specific circumstances and understand intimately which ones call for which response… and which not. You can decide to change your mindset in-the-moment, but it is cultivated over time, with experience, and from resultant outcomes.

Just my take…