How do you see yourself?
October 11, 2016Blog post written by Amber Sutphen, Financial Recruiter, JFC Global
This year, when I was asked to be part of the Professional Development class, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Prior to this class, professional development was something I was doing without even thinking about it. Now I’ve been given the opportunity to take charge of my professional development and look at it from a much deeper perspective.
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton
As a member of this class, we are asked to evaluate ourselves. Using the book “Emotional Intelligence 2.0,” we have been taking time out of each class to delve into different strategies to improve our emotional intelligence (EQ). We have learned that developing our soft-skills and managing how we react to different situations is a huge part of professional development.
One section of the book focuses on Self Awareness which is “having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation and emotions.” Before this class, I didn’t spend much time thinking about this topic. Throughout the day I’m being pulled in different directions, handling multiple job orders and going light speed. I never really took the opportunity to check in with myself.
At the start of this class, I decided I would begin writing in a journal. I try to write in it almost every day and overall it has been a very positive experience. If you are wondering how to go about emotional journal writing, here are some tips:
- Find a special spot that is neat, clean and comfortable
- Before writing, allow yourself to relax and to reflect. Ask yourself: What did I do today? How did it make me feel? What lessons did I learn?
- When ready, start writing. Don’t be too critical. No one is judging.
The process of writing down my feelings and what is going on in my life has given me a clearer picture of my emotions. It has allowed me to become more mindful and more in-tune with myself.
Sure, there are days when I don’t feel like writing, but what I’ve found is that even when I don’t feel like it, I am always glad I did. It is interesting to reflect back on my day and also to look back at entries I made. I plan to continue with it, and it will be cool when I can look back a year, two years ago, etc.
There are a ton of benefits to emotional journal writing! It can definitely relieve stress. It also serves as a reminder of some mistakes you’ve made, moments you want to remember, and accomplishments you are proud of. It forces you to be aware of your actions and behaviors. It can also turn into your own personal brainstorming session where you come up with new ideas that open up the door to new possibilities.
If you have ever considered starting a journal, my advice is to do it! It will give you the ability to see the big picture. It is a great tool that could help you achieve higher self-awareness and continue to develop in both your professional career and personal life.
Happy writing!
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.
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