In a world filled with diverse perspectives and countless stimuli, remaining objective and in control is often easier said than done. Our emotions, varying levels of comfort, and personal biases can significantly influence how we perceive the world and react to situations. However, if we become self-aware, we gain the power to consciously change our emotional and mental states any time we want, enabling us to choose better responses.
But how?
Let’s explore that…
Your Emotions Alter Your Perception:
Our perception is the lens through which we view the world, and it's heavily influenced by our emotions and comfort levels. Imagine this scenario: you're having a conversation with a colleague who expresses an opinion that you disagree with completely. Your immediate emotional response might be defensiveness or even anger. You can’t wait for this person to shut their trap so you can tell them how wrong they are, and at this point, you’re not even listening to what’s being said.
This emotional state can cloud our judgment and prevent us from objectively considering the other person’s perspective. And it’s OK, we’ve all been there…
Emotions: The Double-Edged Sword
Emotions play a significant role in shaping our perceptions. They color our experiences and inform our decision-making. For instance, think about how you react when you receive positive feedback compared to when you receive criticism. Positive feedback can make you feel validated, leading you to view the situation through rose-tinted glasses.
On the other hand, criticism might evoke defensiveness or self-doubt, making it challenging to objectively evaluate the feedback.
This feedback might be well-intentioned, but if I feel attacked I might even do the opposite just to prove that person wrong even if I know they are probably right.
Similarly, imagine being in a debate about a sensitive topic like politics. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain objectivity as our emotions fuel our responses. In such situations, recognizing the sway of our emotions is crucial. By acknowledging the impact our feelings have on our perspective, we can take a step back and consciously choose to acknowledge the facts and let go of our personal feelings in order to have a more productive conversation.
The Comfort Triangle Where Things Get Lost.
Our level of comfort can also be a major hindrance to objectivity. Picture yourself in a cozy little bubble, surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your beliefs and values. When faced with ideas or experiences outside our comfort zone, our instinctive response might be to reject or dismiss them without giving them a fair chance.
By remaining inside our comfort zone, we limit our growth and perpetuate biases. However, self-awareness empowers us to recognize these limitations and actively seek out diverse perspectives.
In fact often times I’ve seen people hold on to limiting beliefs that keep them from achieving their dreams, only because it’s what they are familiar with and so it’s comfortable. I’ve certainly been guilty of this in the past where I would even fight you if you tried to tell me I was somehow not doing all I could to live up to my full potential.
Stepping outside our comfort zone can be uncomfortable, but it's an essential part of achieving anything significant. All great things live outside of your comfort zone.
Grab the Wheel!
Most people go through life riding on the passenger’s seat of a moving car called time and space. They are always in reaction mode and it seems like they can’t seem to catch up with what’s going on in their lives.
There is always a fire to put out, a crisis to avert, a problem to solve, and they just keep piling on.
Being self-aware allows you to take the wheel and start making some moves of your own before crisis strikes. It involves recognizing our emotions, biases, and the limits of our comfort zone. Through self-reflection and introspection, we can gain insight into our own thoughts and feelings, allowing us to consciously choose how we respond to different situations and the direction we take.
But how do we do that?
Becoming self-aware is a gradual process that requires consistent effort. We must practice it and strengthen this practice the same way you build muscle in the gym. By constant and consistent practice and repetition.
Mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, and even exercise can help develop that self-awareness and strengthen it. By paying close attention to our emotional and mental states, we can learn to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Crafting a Better Response
Once we have cultivated self-awareness, we can then start choosing our responses to various situations. Instead of being controlled by our emotions, we gain the ability to assess situations objectively and make informed decisions.
Have you ever snapped at a loved one and said something you regretted?
We all have, but how do we stop that from happening again? By developing the ability to catch yourself before you snap and changing your response.
For example, when confronted with a heated conversation, self-awareness allows us to take a pause, recognize our emotional triggers, and choose a response that fosters understanding and open dialogue. This creates better relationships and a lot (and I do mean a lot) less regret.
Conclusion
Remaining objective in a world filled with emotional triggers, deeply ingrained biases, and comfortable lies is undoubtedly challenging. However, by practicing self-awareness and emotional discipline, we can navigate these complexities with greater ease. Recognizing the influence of our emotions and comfort levels on our perceptions allows us to consciously change the way we act and therefore, the way we live our lives.
Master Your Destiny
And make this an amazing day.
Yamil Senior.
PS. If you feel like you need help and support to develop this emotional discipline head on over to yamilsenior.com/coaching and schedule a FREE consultation today.
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