Emotional Self-Control

post # 38 — March 29, 2006 — a Careers, Managing post

Consider the following questions about your emotional states:

(a) How easy do you find it to get started? Do you procrastinate or attack each day with vigor?

(b) How easily do you bounce back from failure, determined to try again?

(c) How well do you handle rejection?

(d) What is your level of optimism? Do you usually have the confidence to try anything, or are you the worrying sort?

(e) Can you cheerfully get along with people with whom you have nothing in common, or do you tend to withdraw?

(f) When unfairly treated, do you withdraw from the game or engage with renewed determination?

(g) Do you forgive yourself your faults, or do you beat yourself up about them?

(h) Are you comfortable with ambiguity, not quite sure you’re doing the right things, but ready to act anyway?

(i) Can you function in a team, without feeling the need to dominate? Can you control your ego needs?

(j) Can you handle the stress that comes from juggling multiple demands on your time?

(k) As Kipling asked, “Can you keep your head when all about you are losing theirs?”

Every single one of these emotional conditions will affect your success. You don’t have to be perfect. Goodness knows, I’ve suffered from being on the wrong side of all of these at one time or another.

But if your emotions let you down, your talent won’t save you.

There’s no point having superior skills if you procrastinate in putting them to use. There’s no point being smart if you give up at the first sign of failure.

Getting control of your emotions, and yourself, is essential to let your true ability shine through.