7 Practices to Enhance Your Emotional Strength

Volume 19: Telling it Like it Is - 7 Practices to Enhance Your Emotional Strength

This is Emotional Adventures in the Office, where we are committed to addressing real struggles that people face at work. Our approach will vary. Sometimes we will ask questions, other times we will make bold statements. We're always looking for new topics to delve into, so if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Emotional strength plays a vital role in our personal growth, empowering us to handle emotions, tackle obstacles, and unleash our full capabilities. People with strong emotional resilience navigate life with fortitude and determination. It isn't easy but it's worth the work. To get you started, here are seven tips you can use today to be better tomorrow:

1. Recognize your emotions, name them and deal with them proactively

   Emotions are not uncontrollable, but they natural and ever-changing. You get to decide whether you will be a victim of your emotions or will process and deal with them. When someone struggles with this, it is usually related to their ego. Ego distorts how we see things. But, when we recognize and tackle it, understanding fact vs.feeling and the stories we are telling ourselves.focusing on the truth and the evidence supporting it, we can handle our emotions much better.

2. Woe is me is not a workable solution

   Self pity is a trap, like a snowball rolling down hill or an Indiana Jones style boulder rolling towards you. When we are in this mode we sometimes exaggerate situations to make ourselves seem worse off than we actually are. Why? We gather disciples of despair. This is not a helpful approach, even if it makes us feel better inthe short term. Facing reality and taking proactive steps to make changes or balance your perspective is far more productive. Wallowing in self pity will eventually drown you.

3. YOU are in control of your relationships with people

   Many people, often without even knowing it, try to keep others in a place that makes them feel comfortable. However, emotionally strong people know how to stay true to who they are while still valuing their relationships. This sometimes means they have to let go of people who aren't helpful or who keep them in a state of constant despair. Instead of looking for approval from others, they focus on what is real and what truly matters to them. This approach helps them build stronger emotional resilience and stay grounded in their own values. Seeking external validation is not the approach to success in emotional strengthening.

4. Become more aware of what you can and cannot control

   It is important to know the difference between things you can't change and problems you can fix. Some things are just facts of life, and we can't do anything about them. But real problems are challenges we can work on. Instead of stressing over things we can't control, we should focus on solving the problems we can. This helps us stay positive and keep our personal standards high.

5. Make new mistakes

   Everyone makes mistakes-it's part of being human. But what's not okay is making the same mistake over and over again. Emotionally strong people take the time to think about their mistakes, figure out what they could do differently, and then make a plan to change. This ongoing process of learning helps keep the ego in check and facilitates growth as a human

6. Emotional Roller Coasters are no fun - get off that ride

   Everyone has emotional highs and lows. The key is learning how to keep these ups and downs in balance. One helpful approach is the 24-hour rule: give yourself 24 hours to process any event, good or bad, and then move on and focus on something else. Taking time to reflect or journal on these moments can lead to meaningful personal growth.

7. Remember it's a journey not a destination

   Life is full of challenges, and accepting this fact helps build emotional strength. When we work through tough situations, we become more resilient and improve our overall well-being.ocusing on long-term goals and meaningful pursuits rather than just following intense but fleeting interests. By prioritizing purpose, you ensure that your actions are guided by deeper values and long-term objectives, helping you stay committed and strong even when the going gets tough.
   

Letting go of old emotional baggage is crucial for resilience. If you don't, eventually you will end up with a head full of luggage. That is not helpful. Adopting these practices can help you better manage emotion and become who you are meant to be. You have got this my friend.