Emotional Regulation is the ultimate productivity tool

The human brain is scrambled, not like eggs or oatmeal, more like a smoothie, where different textures are jumbled together in one tightly squeezed blender. Being able to recognize emotions is a major skill amidst such chaos, like getting to know the ingredients that compose your internal breakfast. Tasting the splash ginger in the middle of one’s papaya blend is a skill much more difficult and essential than the current school curriculum appreciates.

In these days where therapy language has become normalized, it is easy for administrators to simply ignore the concept of emotional regulation along with other terms that have lost all meaning in the new wellness wave, like self-care, alignment and authenticity. Nonetheless, it is my hope that this one concept can actually be taken by both the educational system and the job market as a valuable tool.

In corporate America there is an emphasis in time management. But being able to manage time, often does not mean jumping into action, but understanding which facet of the self is in control. Are you unusually sad? Optimistic? Are you feeling resentment? The answers to these simple questions will affect one’s actions. Being conscious of that bias allows a reflection that affects everyday decisions and can prevent impulsivity, reactive attitudes, and one’s tolerance to discomfort.