In general we are taught to be practical and not be emotional. Emotions are considered a weakness in this supposedly tough world. In particular we are taught to keep our emotions out of the workplace. Maybe that is because emotions are seen as melodramatic and useless or deep down we believe that if we “expose” our soft belly, people will take advantage of us. That may have been true when everything was scarce but today, when the industrial age has given us many things, what every one of us wants is emotional connect. What we respond to has an emotional and feelings base beyond the facts and figures and mathematical rationality.
From my experience in personal life and even in business, including selling million dollar deals, I have seen that in the end – it was emotions that turned the tide in my favor. Here I am not talking about “emotional drama” or the use of emotions to manipulate but about the base emotions that we feel throughout our relating.
Emotions are the foundation
When we do something, whether it is studying, doing a routine task or a complex task, besides our skills what really determines our effectiveness is “how we feel”.
We have seen in life that some people are able to face most difficult circumstances and come out at the end with flying colors. What differentiates them from others who can’t is their emotional balance through the difficult period. There is a very popular quote – “Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Always Do” but don’t be mistaken here. The word “tough” is not about any other strength but “emotional strength”.
Range and consistency of emotions
Most of the usual emotions we are aware of are negative or emotions that are expressed and not emotions that are deeply felt. The emotions that give you real power have to do with how you really feel inside and not just what you express.
There are wide variety of emotions that form the trust you have in yourself, in others and the universe. These emotions together determine your power to create a great life for yourself and others. If your actions are not getting the desired results it may help to reflect on how you feel on these seven key emotions I have identified as most powerful:
- Composure
- Gratitude
- Acceptance
- Abundance
- Empathy
- Joy
- Faith
If you make it a practice to “feel and demonstrate” these emotions consistently, your power to create a WOW life will grow exponentially. What is important here is not to try to do a lot all at once but to build a consistency of habit to feel and demonstrate these emotions everyday. Not just to feel these in peaceful times but more importantly to feel these even when things are difficult with you.
May the power be with you – the power of your emotions.
PS: I will write a separate article on power of each of the seven emotions as inspiration strikes me 🙂
WOW !!! U glorified the choice of being in touch with our own self and to others by dancing through the 7 key emotions, outlined by u. Looking forward to read your perspective on each one of them 🙂
Mark my words – this post has potential to develop into full fledged book by itself. There’s a underlying message in the post that IMO is the USP of the post. Would look forward to explanation of the emotions. 🙂
Thank you Gaurima and Yaju.. I am encouraged to write on the 7 emotions :).
Also, Anu mentioned on FB.. “While the ones u hv identified are important, want to add one more and that is Affection.Many believe that is only in early development it plays key role in development of self concept, social skills. Truth is it is one of the primary emotions experienced, expressed and seeked by each individual at any stage of life.”
I agree – will also write on Affection 🙂 .. may drop Abundance as Faith covers that to a large extent.