#291 – How does "emotional re-ticketing" put you back in charge?

Your emotions are created by your body. They feel like they're imposed on you and there's nothing you can do about it. Feeling afraid? Well, what you're gonna do, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, that's life.

But there's a way you can take back control of how emotions affect you.

Many years ago, my friend EB wanted to quit smoking. One Saturday morning, sitting in my kitchen, a cup of coffee before her, she said, "I couldn't do it. The day I tried, I wanted to cry so badly, that I had to have a smoke."

I still hadn't trained as a coach, so I "colluded" with her inner saboteur. I agreed with her irrational idea that smoking was worth it if that helped her avoid crying. Instead of asking her what was important about not crying, for example, I just said, "Hm, I understand." By buying into how she'd "ticketed" her emotion, I didn't support her goal to quit smoking.

We do that all the time. We collude with our own saboteurs (our Ghosts and Ego): we don't question what they tell us about our own emotions.

Knots in my stomach? That's fear––don't do what you're about to do!

Sweaty palms? That's shame––retreat, don't let anyone see you!

Welling eyes? That's weakness––prove you're strong!

What if I "re-ticket" the bodily sensations with a different emotion, one that doesn't paralyze me?

Knots in my stomach? That's preparation to act––you're ready!

Sweaty palms? That's my body intelligence at work––you live in a smart body!

Welling eyes? That's emotional connection––you're alive!

Emotional re-ticketing requires looking the Ego and Ghosts in the eye and letting them know they got it wrong.

You're at choice when giving meaning to your emotions, you can decide what's really what's going on.

What emotions can you re-ticket so they don't block your actions?

Love,

Carolina