As I write this I’m in the 16th day of my 100 day trip. Making my way across west Texas, headed to Carlsbad, NM. Excited about the trip ahead. Beautiful sights…and meeting some great people. Life is good!! I’m blessed.
Lou
Most of us would like to think reason and sound judgment play the dominant role in how we conduct our daily affairs. But in truth, almost everything we do is interpreted at the emotional level. In a very real way, we see – and do -- things through the eyes of our emotions.
The word "emotion" comes from the Latin word, "exmovere" -- meaning “to excite, stir up or to move.” Emotions are a basic and essential part of life.
Through the years, one of the things I have noticed about the top achievers is their emotional control. While they experience the depth and breadth of a life of emotions, they have a really good handle on them. They have an element of consistency about themselves which brings balance to their emotional life.
This doesn’t mean they always refrain from having their “negative emotional moments.” They experience them, but they don’t let them take over – they don’t dwell on them. They deal with them and then move on to more constructive feelings.
Neither do the top performers get too over-charged. They have a calmness and easiness about themselves that serves to keep their equilibrium as they move through the process of living. They exercise composure in those situations where the constraint is vital to high performance.
That’s the reason I believe a high emotional quotient (EQ) will move us up the success ladder quicker than will a high IQ. It would be great to have both, but highly developed people display great emotional control and stability.
If we are going to enjoy any significant success, it is essential that we balance reason with emotion. It is precisely the ability to experience the whole range of human emotions at the right time, and in the right degree, that will dramatically impact our efforts in a positive way.
The reason balance is so important is that the body cannot defend itself against the damage that emotional stress creates quietly over time. The body pays a higher psychological price for every single moment that we feel anxious, tense, frustrated, or angry. While these emotions serve important purposes for us on appropriate occasions, over time they take a heavy toll on the body.
As you probe your own experiences, what can you say about the role emotions are playing in your own career -- or life? How are you doing in the area of emotional control and stability?
Are your emotions working for or against you? Are your emotions your best servant or your worst enemy?
