Manage Your Emotions! 5 Questions to Help You Recognize and Control Your Feelings

Coaching Mini-Lesson: Manage Your Emotions!

Let's talk about the catalyst for every action that you take in your life: emotions. The very definition of the word "emotion" is "acting out."

"E" means out. "Motion" means to act. How are your emotions causing you to "act out?" If you could identify the five emotions that you have been experiencing the most over the past month, what would they be? How many times have you acted, reacted, or over reacted because of your emotions recently? One thing that tends to keep people stuck is marinating in their emotions. Many people go through their days letting untended emotions marinate until they fester and cause an unexpected explosion, or hold them back from moving forward. What emotional baggage are you carrying around? Which of these emotions ring most true, most often in your life?

Do you feel?

· Angry-If so, what boundary has been violated?

· Sad-If so, what loss have you experienced?

· Jealous-If so, what do you wish you had more of?

· Helpless-If so, what situation is out of your control?

· Insecure-If so, who are you looking to for affirmation?

· Fear-If so, why do the negative consequences seem more plausible than the positive ones?

· Shame-If so, what past experiences are defining you?

· Guilt-If so, what have you done that does not line up with your values?

· Hurt-If so, who has failed you?

· Disappointed-If so, how have you failed yourself?

· Lonely-If so, how do your surroundings discourage connections with others?

· Overloaded-If so, have you set unrealistic expectations for yourself?

· Overwhelmed-If so, who are you letting dictate your schedule?

· Resentment-If so, how are you misdirecting your anger?

· Anxious-If so, what is it that you should be doing that perhaps you are avoiding?

· Unappreciated-If so, from whom are you seeking approval? Who is overlooking you? What acknowledgement are you seeking, but not getting?

Source: What's Really Holding You Back? by Valorie Burton

Homework:

Ask Yourself:

1. What emotions am I experiencing in this moment?

2. What does this emotion really mean for me?

3. Are my actions appropriate for this situation?

4. Am I stuck in an emotional rut?

5. Are my emotions prohibiting me from achieving my dreams?

Notice your emotions and dig a little deeper to see if you can get to the root of the cause. Then ask yourself the critical questions that can help you recognize the emotional patterns that may be kidnapping your goals. Taking these steps can put you on the path to maximizing your life.