Issue 71
The SuperPower of Emotions
How are you feeling?
Do you know how to harness the power of your emotions?
The energy, mood, or vibe we emit is the most powerful thing within our control.
Our emotional state can bring those around into a spiral of worry or can spark motivation and hope.
Now, I am not suggesting manipulating what we feel or “fake” emotions.
Masking or ignoring your real emotions can actually cause damage to ourselves and relationships.
Fake emotions comes off as elegant as a herd of 3rd graders playing the recorder. It’s not great.
But how does one effectively work with their emotions?
Especially when you feel stuck in negative ones like, anger, powerlessness, defensiveness, or resentment?
The short answer, AWARENESS and PRACTICE.
Try using these 3 simple steps to process and address the elusive moods that run through your mind/body and organizations.
1. Name it: Using a feeling wheel or emotion cards find language to name the emotion. Am I mad or just grumpy and hungry? Am I angry or am I really just sad? Sad is often underneath anger. By naming it we give it voice without reacting to it.
2. Feel it: What sensations are happening in my body? Increased heart rate? Tension in my stomach? By feeling the sensations we teach our nervous system that it is OK to be with this emotion and enables us to respond instead of react or avoid.
3. See it: By naming and feeling the emotion we can then consciously SEE what it is creating. i.e. My fear of disappointment is causing me to not take action. My feeling of defensiveness is causing me to miss useful feedback that could help me grow or create collaborative solutions.
The steps are simple, but the impact profound.
We do not have to live as victim to our emotions, like a rag-doll in a tornado.
We can ride our emotions like a wind surfer, when we consciously choose how we want to feel. We gain the strength to show up as empowered, authentic leaders.
Reflection Question:
- How often am I aware of the state of my mood and what it is communicating to those around me?
Supportive PRACTICE:
Join me online every month, on the
3rd Thursday (3/20) at 12:05pm CDT
Together we improve our mental fitness, emotional capacity and embodied wellness through a midday break of mindfulness and reflection.
Interrupt your stress for 25 minutes.
“
feel it all
whatever may come up
even if the present hurts
even if the past is roaring
heroes do not run away
healing is not won easily
feel wisely
without letting what is temporary control you
acceptance makes real freedom possible.
— young pueblo
You can effectively work with your emotions – doubt, confusion, excitement, fear, all of it.. Don’t leave your work and life up to chance on how you feel.
Working with a holistic leadership coach to expand your emotional capacity is one of the most strategic and compassionate actions you can take in this moment. Book a free discovery call to explore what is possible when you harness the power of your emotions.
Be well, Sonya
Now is the time to prioritize your wellbeing and develop the skills of being a leader that brings wellness to your organization through your own growth.