Do you know an emotionally fit person? Emotionally fit people are often viewed as the "go to" person, a leader, someone others can depend upon. They can handle challenging situations with inner strength, wisdom and insight. They are well respected by others and can appropriately handle conflict. Are you emotionally fit?
15 Things The Emotionally Fit Person Practices:
1. Emotionally fit people know when to move on. They are able to accurately read a situation and see clues that things are not stable. They withdraw their support from a project before it becomes a disaster.
2. Emotionally fit people have self-awareness. They understand their own deficiencies and are able to seek guidance when needed. They also know how they are perceived by others.
3. Emotionally fit people can see the big picture. They know that one mistake or misstep doesn't determine their destiny. They can also see alternatives to a situation and problem solve accordingly.
4. Emotionally fit people are able to optimize a window of opportunity. When they see an opening to obtain a new project or give a pitch, they don't hesitate. They seize the moment. Being able to make the most of these open window moments often shapes their future.
5. Emotionally fit people are able to garner respect from influential people. They do this by understanding the value of respectful communication and aren't fearful of confronting conflict.
6. Emotionally fit people are able to express empathy. They are able to accurately read non-verbal cues. When a situation warrants, an emotionally fit person can display empathy. They are comfortable with silence and can deeply listen.
7. Emotionally fit people don't become fixated on one outcome; they are able to generate alternate solutions. They understand what they can and can't change, so they don't attempt to influence situations that are immobile. This avoids frustration and anger.
8. Emotionally fit people understand the value of in- person engagement. Certainly, it is easier to email or send a text, but the emotionally fit person realizes that having a face- to- face conversation is very meaningful.
9. Emotionally fit people create healthy boundaries. They understand the situations where they are vulnerable and work to put appropriate boundaries in place to protect themselves.
10. Emotionally fit people know that perfection is not always possible. While perfection is prized, the emotionally fit person understands that at times it is not feasible. In these situations, they can accept less.
11. Emotionally fit people take responsibility for their actions. They don't attempt to minimize, deny or rationalize their behavior. They can openly admit when they made a mistake or exercised bad judgment.
12. Emotionally fit people work very long hours and don't seek a magic solution. The emotionally fit person knows that solutions aren't going to "just appear", and they need to work hard to obtain certain outcomes.
13. Emotionally fit people let things go and don't practice self-pity. When something goes wrong, they don't throw themselves a pity party. In order to avoid another problem, they analyze the situation and determine what needs to changed.
14. Emotionally fit people are able to engage in multiple domains. This literally means "all their eggs are not in one basket". To an outsider, this approach to work may look disorganized, but the emotionally fit person enjoys being involved in several projects. The ideas they obtain from one project are often used for another one.
15. Emotionally fit people learn from others. The emotionally fit person seeks advice and is willing to ask bold questions. They are eager to gain a new perspective and value feedback.
Everyone has a bad day here and there, but the emotionally fit person is able to endure hardships and still maintain optimism. Emotional fitness is something that can be integrated into one's daily life. Even incorporating one of these elements can shift one's perspective.
Kristin Meekhof is a speaker, writer and author of the book, A Widow's Guide to Healing (with cover blurbs from her friend Deepak Chopra, MD and Maria Shriver- Sourcebooks, 2015). Kristin is also a contributor to the Live Happy book (HarperElixir, 2016). She is a licensed master's level social worker, obtained her B.A. from Kalamazoo College, and completed the M.S.W. program at the University of Michigan. Recently, Kristin was invited to the United Nations to attend the CSW60 conference where she introduced Lord Loomba. She can be reached via her website.