EI3.2 : Activity for Self Management

The problem with self management is that we want to be correct all the time. At the basic level, self management means being aware of our emotions and actively choosing to say or do. There is an element of 'active choice' here. If we do not exercise this choice, the emotions start controlling what we speak and do. This is slippery wicket. When our emotions ‘hijack’ our actions and words, we end up feeling miserable, out of control and victimized. The stronger the emotion we feel, the more difficult it becomes to think. It is a delicate balancing act which can give you very rich rewards. So much of stress in our lives gets reduced once we start exercising the choice to read our emotions and ‘decide’ what to say or do. This also is the most important step towards a balanced state of being.

The task is also made difficult on account of abundance of people and situations which keep throwing us off our balance. Irritating characters surround us from all sides. The society breeds competition and hence the majority of crowd around us is in some race or the other. Prudence lies in deciding how much to share and with whom.

As you start practicing self management, a slip here and a slip there will keep happening. There is no human being on earth who has ‘perfect’ self management capability. Important thing is to strive for coming back to your balanced state every time you are thrown off track.

When you start getting grip on the awareness of where your emotions are trying to throw you towards, you can act and re gain balance. If you can see yourself being pushed by an emotion (like anger) and see where it is directing you to behave, you can quickly hold the reins of yourself and avoid landing up in a wrong direction of behaviour. This will give you magical power to control difficult situations. And you will emerge as a natural leader among your peers. You will be respected for your restraint and looked up to for your leadership.

Activity

(One – Two Technique for Self Management)

Next time you experience a strong emotion, count one-two, one-two a couple of times and try to visualize where is your emotion pushing you towards? Is it making you speak agitatedly? Is it making you ignore what is happening in the room? Just try to sense which direction your emotion taking you towards. Then say one-two and decide what to say or do, irrespective of your tendency at that time. Try it. I promise it will be fun and of course, very rewarding.