Sometimes we get in the habit of having emotional reactions to certain situations. I’ve noticed, especially in business, there are those people who can put on his or her poker face and take everything in stride rather than having a notable reaction. It’s tough to maintain, and without meaning to, you accidentally show your cards because your emotions tend to give it all away. So how do you take back your power and eliminate your emotional reactions? Let’s take a look:
Take Back Your Power: Eliminate Emotional Reactions
Take control of the situation. We all more or less know our emotional triggers. When we’re not fully prepared for a meeting at work and nerves are already at an all-time high —whatever the case may be, assessing your trigger points can help ensure that you know what you’re getting into and how to control the situation. When you’re feeling level-headed and prepared, you’re much more likely to handle whatever comes your way in total stride.
Change the focus. When a conversation or an issue starts to go down a path that frustrates you, change the direction. Let’s say you’re talking about a project at work that just hasn’t been going that well. You want to figure out how to redirect the project toward a more efficient path, but some factors are stumbling blocks. Rather than getting so far down a discussion path with a coworker, agree that you’ll both come up with a handful of ideas and reconvene. Change the direction to discuss something that’s been successful in the last few weeks and give one another a pat on the back for a job well done.
Get control of your reactions. When you’re working on taking control of the situation, and you’re doing all the right things you need to remember that sometimes situations are still going to be heated. It’s just the way life goes. When you feel a discussion going to a place that you find frustrating, that’s OK. Remind yourself that it’s on you to control your reaction. You are the only one who can control your emotions, and while it may sound challenging, you can say to yourself: today I’m keeping it in check.
So, how about it? Can you use these three tactics to take back your power and control your emotional reactions?
