How Emotional Mastery Can Enhance Well-Being And Relationships At Work
In the professional world, emotions often take a backseat. We are, by nature, emotional beings, constantly navigating life through our feelings. Yet, the workplace—where we spend the majority of our waking hours—often expects us to suppress these emotions in the name of productivity. But what happens when we push our emotions aside?
The truth is, burying emotions doesn't make them disappear. Instead, they linger and grow stronger. Think of emotions as being stored in the basement, where they’re not idle but lifting weights, growing more powerful as time passes. Eventually, they manifest in ways that can affect your mental health, both at work and in your personal life.
The Hidden Impact of Suppressed Emotions
These emotional stressors don’t just exist in isolation; they infiltrate every aspect of your life, affecting your mental health, focus, and relationships.
You may wake up with a sense of dread, fixated on that thing your boss "always does" to ruin your day. Or perhaps an unstable relationship with a colleague is the source of ongoing mental friction, turning routine interactions into month-long mental dramas. Even worse, an aggravating client could dominate your thoughts so much that they hijack your evening conversations with a close friend you haven’t seen in years.
But there’s good news: you don’t have to let emotions run the show. By consciously befriending your emotions, you can clear the mental clutter, regain control of your personal time, and improve your communication at work.
Befriending Your Emotions for Better Outcomes
One key to emotional mastery lies in understanding and processing your emotions rather than ignoring them. By doing so, you give yourself the space to not only manage work-related stress but also to bring a greater sense of well-being into your daily life. Here are a few approaches to help you befriend your emotions:
1. Navigating Conflict with the NEWW Approach
At A Project Called Life, we have developed a method called the NEWW Approach to conflict resolution. This conscious communication tool is designed to help you navigate conflict at work, at home, and even in your inner dialogue. The idea is to approach situations with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
By using the NEWW Approach, you can address conflicts before they spiral out of control. It encourages clear, conscious communication, enabling you to resolve issues with confidence and empathy. This not only improves your mental health but also enhances your relationships, both professional and personal.
To learn more about the NEWW Approach, book a call with one of our trainers.
2. Using an Emotions Wheel
One of the simplest and most effective tools for emotional mastery is an emotions wheel. It helps break down complex emotions into more specific feelings, giving you a clearer understanding of what you’re experiencing.
At first glance, you might think you’re just "angry" or "stressed," but an emotions wheel can help you pinpoint whether you're feeling disappointed, overwhelmed, or powerless. This nuanced understanding of your emotional state allows you to take more appropriate actions, whether that’s addressing the situation directly or finding ways to process the emotion in a healthy manner.
We even have a custom emotions wheel that our clients find particularly helpful in identifying and managing their emotional responses.
3. Self-Inquiry: The Why Behind the Feeling
Once you’ve identified what you’re feeling, the next step is to explore why you’re feeling it. This is where self-inquiry comes into play. By asking yourself curious questions like “What are some of the reasons I’m triggered by this experience?” or “What is the deeper fear or belief behind this emotion?” you begin to unpack the root causes of your emotional reactions.
Understanding the "why" allows you to take control over how you respond to similar situations in the future. Rather than reacting impulsively, you can respond thoughtfully, which not only alleviates stress but also fosters a healthier work environment.
The Profound Impact of Emotional Mastery
Mastering your emotions doesn’t just benefit your mental health—it can transform the way you experience work. When you have the tools to handle emotional stress, you can approach challenges with greater clarity and resilience. You'll no longer be consumed by work drama during your off-hours, and you’ll find yourself communicating with more confidence and ease.
By integrating techniques like the NEWW Approach, the emotions wheel, and self-inquiry, you can significantly improve your emotional intelligence. This, in turn, empowers you to take charge of your well-being, both professionally and personally.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into Conscious Leadership or emotional mastery, we’d love to guide you through these transformative processes. Embracing your emotions, rather than avoiding them, is a key step toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.
