Great Leaders Manage Their Emotions and Avoid Burnout
Managing Emotional Energy
Have you ever had a good night sleep and still felt tired? Or physically been in the office but really struggle to engage your mind?
It is possible to be physically rested but be emotionally depleted. It’s like having a car whose computer won’t stop processing, even though the engine is turned off, the battery is flat in the morning. Our emotions are a powerful energy that we possess in our body that we need to manage. Their state has a profound affect on our physical condition and quality of life. The bible recognizes this connection:
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
3 John 2 ESV
The soul is internal, it refers to our mind, will and emotions. When our soul is unhealthy we start to experience feelings that deplete us, like stress and anxiety. These are the feelings that contribute to burn out in business more than any other factors. For the sake of longevity in all arears of life, we must learn how to manage our emotional energy.
Emotional energy is how we feel about what is going on in our lives: our work, our relationships, ourselves, our situations. When we are frequently exposed to difficult events, we can feel depleted or drained. This feeling of emotional exhaustion is something that tends to build up and so for the sake of your leadership, performance and company, it is vital to manage these things. Having an understanding of which emotions “drain” and “fill” you emotion capacity is key to managing yourself well.
When we regularly experience the same emotions, we start to feel the cumulative effect of them. Consider these as an example:
Emotional drains – anger, grief, uncertainty, fear, anxiety
Emotional Fillers – Optimism, laughter, confidence, peace
Much of the direction of our life and leadership originates in our mind. If we can win the fight there we become resilient, strong and determined. Romans 12 talks about the transforming power of right thinking:
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. "
Romans 12:2 NLT
When looking for ways to change my thinking, the best way that I have found is to use scripture. It is the reason that I created cards with topical verses to help me recenter my thoughts. When our minds are right and focused our emotions tend to follow. It can be challenging to prioritize reading scripture or taking time to meditate on bible verses but it is the key to emotional health. Caring for your soul is a role you cannot delegate, outsource or entrust to someone else.
Here are some suggested cards you can use to realign your mind and manage your emotional energy:
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