Hi Friend
What a wonderful wretched week! We’ve been going hard on this consulting project that is stretching and consuming us, which I love. However, also I got two rejection emails on the same day for two different events I really wanted to do. My daughter is back for the summer so we grabbed sushi and a movie. I also got to speak outside, which I haven’t done in a long time.
I walked over 6 miles around Medicine Lake. I also rode on the Como-Harriet historic trolley by Lake Harriet. There really are over 10,000 lakes in Minnesota! When I visit the Minneapolis area I end up reading to a 3rd grade class. We also have ongoing lessons on how to blow bubbles with gum. It’s a necessary life skill.
Rejection hurts. I’m grateful that it’s a common part of this business. Every time it happens, it gives me a moment to re-establish my commitment and belief in what we’re doing. It stings for a second, but I combat it with gratitude and hope. We believe doors open that we’re supposed to walk through and close on the ones not meant for us.
As much as I want to will it into existence, the rejection is an announcement that “At this time, this is not for you.” Thankfully I’ve got that settled in my soul. I’m sure in days gone by I spent more emotional currency on such emails. Converting them to positive reinforcement facilitates persistence.
Emotional Energy is Neutral
Emotions get labelled positive or negative. But really it’s the interpretation and expression of said emotions, huh? We each have an Information Translator that tries to inform our emotions about how to be. It says “this is bad news, be sad, angry or retaliatory.” Or it communicates “This is awesome, be happy, glad and excited.”
Certainly our Information Translator evolves over time, likely maturing to a place of consistency. Fitting a filter of hope over that translator, alters every output. It taints all the dreadful info with possibility. Most people fear the unknown, but when it’s lathered in hopefulness, anticipation thrashes anxiety.
Twisted Filter
Unfortunately, I’ve known enough people whose IT was bent the other way, interpreting everything with a gloomy tint. Sure, sure it may be the pessimist, realist and optimist comparison, but the longer we’re all alive the more it becomes evident that nothing is permanent or final. Our only definitive is death, and until then potential for change is realistic. Hope is the most sensible disposition.
Our emotional engine impacts every area of our life, but seems to have the most dramatic effect on our relationships. It’s not only the source of energy we bring into every interaction, it also informs the stories in our head about a person. Is it possible you are telling yourself an inaccurate story about someone because of how your Information Translator is fueling your emotional engine?
Instigating Ideas…
1. Pay attention to how long “bad news” lingers in your mind and heart.
2. Take one day and interpret every bit of information as “good news.”
3. Consider a different way to interpret information about someone.
4. Chew gum, blow bubbles.
Teaching a kid to blow bubbles takes more effort than you might imagine. You first have to explain how to flatten the gum in your mouth. Then how your tongue finds it’s place in the gum. Then how to shape your mouth. And finally how to blow slowly. More than one piece has been ejected onto the floor in these trainings.
If you blow bubbles you don’t think about any of this. You just do it. Unfortunately, that is true about our Information Translator. If we don’t intentionally evaluatehow our emotions are being stimulated we just think our default rendering is true.
Interpret This!
I love truth. There are several absolutes. Our translations don’t fall into that category. Why not lean towards the positive? It will certainly gas your emotional energy and cause you to be more enjoyable towards those in your life. I love hopeful people!
I hope this week you get rejected and translate it into a useful motivator and direct your emotional energy into possibility!