How to use emotions to your advantage: coaching tips

Any emotion is a “telegram” that the subconscious sends in encrypted form to the rational part of the brain. It is the subconscious mind that processes most of the information from the outside world, and then gives feedback on what to pay attention to. Based on this, we choose how to act in a particular situation.

Why do we need to deal with emotions?

If we know the “cipher”, then we will better orient ourselves in the situation and our reaction. So, let’s act reasonably, we can make the right (for us) choice. But if the language of emotions for us is just a set of incomprehensible symbols (sensations), we will ignore them and act without taking them into account. We might even get lucky and guess the best option. But more often we will make mistakes, and then correct our own mistakes.

For example, dislike or even disgust for a stranger warns us of a potential threat. Emotions say that you need to be careful not to trust him blindly. If we rely only on the arguments of the mind, which sees no reason for concern, then we can pay dearly for this.

The language of emotions is “foreign” for all mankind, regardless of nationality. Both in the West and in the East, it has been customary for centuries to keep a face, to hide true feelings, to behave exclusively in a “proper” way.

The modern cult of happiness and positive thinking has demonized negative emotions so much that we seem to no longer have the right to experience them. If they arise, we often do not try to understand them, but simply feel that something is wrong with us. The flow of negativity intensifies, but we still do not understand what it means. And this prevents us from orienting ourselves in the situation and in ourselves.

There is only one way out – to learn the language of emotions! No matter how old we are, it is never too late to make it “native”.

Two negatives make an affirmative

Positive and negative emotions don’t just change how we feel, they affect how we think. What are they doing to us?

Positive emotions set us up to explore the world and make discoveries, help generate ideas, communicate. In a good mood, we see a global perspective, but are not inclined to go into details. But there is a downside: when solving problems, we can make a lot of mistakes, because subconsciously we feel as if we have already achieved success and coped with the task. We can decide we’ve done the job and stop thinking about it.

Negative emotions can increase our thinking efficiency and concentration, help us focus on details and find inaccuracies or imperfections that are imperceptible in a state of joy. When we’re in a bad mood, we focus on the little things – for example, this is the best time to look for errors in the report.

From a practical point of view, this means that both positive and negative emotions can be “used” more effectively. If we understand our emotional state, then we can consciously choose the best activity for the current moment.

For example, if you feel anxious, you should check the presentation. And in high spirits – try to come up with an idea for a startup.

ABC of emotions

Let’s remember some emotions and their meaning, and also think about how they can benefit us.

• Interest helps to develop and acquire skills and abilities. This is the engine of evolution. It gives energy, directs to research and knowledge. This emotion is perfect for starting a new business that requires full immersion in the process.
• Joy associated with the possession of a real or imaginary good, the ability to satisfy an actual need for us. In this state, we are satisfied with ourselves and the world, confident in our abilities and see prospects. We can effectively brainstorm and be creative.
• Adoption — agreement with the existing state of affairs. This is a natural, calm and non-judgmental state for us, which indicates that everything is in order in life and we are on the right track. In this state, we effectively work on current tasks that do not require large amounts of energy.
• Sadness arises when we are dissatisfied with something or someone, when needs are not met, or we lose what is dear to us. It is effective when you need to concentrate, proofread texts or conduct a detailed analysis of a subject.
• Anger – intense emotion, which is accompanied by a surge of energy. It occurs when someone violates our rights and boundaries, behaves unfairly. This emotion increases self-confidence, reduces fear in case of danger, helps to mobilize all forces and defend oneself. Anger is also suitable for improving habitual processes, motivating a team, completing tasks for which there has not been enough time and energy for a long time.
• Fear – a defensive reaction to a real or perceived danger to health and well-being. It increases the intensity of all metabolic processes, leads to better nutrition of the brain, activates activity. Therefore, even a slight fear can help us act more effectively: anticipate trouble, prepare an action plan in advance to solve a possible problem. A very strong fear, on the contrary, paralyzes and deprives of strength.

We charge the battery

We rarely think of emotions as a source of energy. But we feel very well when we are overwhelmed with strength, and when they are not at all. Any emotion is not only a set of sensations, but also a certain amount of energy that is given to perform an action.

Each of us probably felt annoyed or even angry when we didn’t have time to eat on time. On the one hand, these emotions say that our need for food is not satisfied. On the other hand, they give strength to survive the hungry time.

Apathy – an emotion with zero energy level – comes when we are exhausted to the limit both mentally and physically. The body literally shuts down to recuperate. And this is also an important signal that we can use to our advantage.