An emotional compass can help you keep your mind and actions focused on positive forward movement towards a goal. So how do you develop a reliable compass?
- Spend a few minutes thinking about your goal and
where you are along the path to achieving it.
- Let yourself see the images you have associated with this goal, as well as any images you have of the actions you’ve taken towards your goal.
- Hear any sounds or audio track, such as your inner conversation with yourself or actual conversations you’ve had along the way.
- Now pause and notice what you are feeling inside, right now.
- Take a moment and write down several adjectives that describe how you feel as you think about your goal and your progress towards it. Use words that describe what you’re feeling emotionally and physically. For example, you might be feeling anxious, stressed, with tense shoulders, clenched jaws. Or perhaps you feel happy, elated, with warm energy coursing through arms and chest, clear head, relaxed shoulders.
- Now that you’ve checked in with your emotional compass, what do your feelings tell you about the direction you’re currently pointed?
- What can you do to reorient yourself to face toward your destination?
Keep your emotional compass handy this week. Every time you think about or work towards your goal, notice how you’re feeling. Use your physical and emotional feelings as feedback on whether you’re heading in the right direction. Are you still focused on the refreshing beach or are you headed back to the desert? Make a conscious choice to redirect your thoughts on where you want to go.
Comments