Unlocking Happiness – Your 'Why' & Emotional Agility
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Written by: Andre Shojaie, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
A Global wake-up call. When renowned Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan decided to prioritize his personal health, relationships, and passions over his successful career, it sparked a global conversation on what it truly means to be successful. In a society fixated on the relentless pursuit of more — more work, more achievements, more growth — Dolan's bold move serves as a poignant reminder that true success lies in a balanced life. It underscores the future of work where personal and professional lives harmoniously interweave, rather than being oppositional forces.
The post-pandemic shift to psychological wellness
The COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global event, has emphasized the vitality of psychological wellness. It's a concept that psychologists Jennifer Card and Amy Blaschka advocate passionately, particularly the importance of understanding our "Why"— our core motivations in life and work. As we strive to reclaim a sense of normalcy, happiness, emotional agility, and a balanced life have transitioned from desirable attributes to absolute necessities.
Understanding emotional agility
Emotional agility is an essential skill in a world fraught with unexpected changes and challenges. As defined by Dr. Susan David, it's about recognizing, accepting, and navigating through our full spectrum of emotions. It's not just about understanding our feelings, but also managing them in a healthy way—a cornerstone of mental wellbeing.
Discovering your 'Why'
On the other hand, discovering our "Why" is an inward journey to uncover our true drivers — our intrinsic motivations. As author Simon Sinek suggests, our "Why" acts as a unique fountain of inspiration that fuels every action we undertake.
Identifying your "Why" requires a deep introspection. Reflect on your personal values, motivations, passions, strengths, and professional journey. Look for patterns in situations that left you feeling the most fulfilled and productive. Your "Why" mirrors your priorities, acting like a personal mission statement that motivates your actions. It's your compass, guiding you towards what truly matters.
To help discover your "Why," consider keeping a journal where you can note down your thoughts, feelings, and insights about your life and work. Reflect on your entries regularly to identify recurring themes or patterns. This can be a beneficial exercise to uncover your underlying passions and motivations. Similarly, for improving emotional agility, mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga can be instrumental.
Interplay of 'why' and emotional agility: A path to happiness
Understanding how your 'Why' and emotional agility interact is crucial for cultivating happiness, particularly in challenging times. Here's how these concepts intertwine to foster happiness:
Overcoming Stagnation: Life inevitably presents periods of stagnation, where progress seems elusive and motivation dwindles. During such phases, both emotional agility and your "Why" serve as potent tools to navigate these rough terrains. By reflecting on your "Why" and harnessing emotional agility, you can catalyze necessary changes, transform your perspective, and restore the momentum that might have been lost. It empowers you to break free from monotonous routines and channel your energy into meaningful and purposeful work.
Prioritizing Effectively: In our fast-paced world, distractions abound, often blurring our focus and deterring us from our goals. Emotional agility equips you with the ability to recognize and manage your emotions, preventing them from taking control of your actions. Simultaneously, your "Why" serves as a beacon, helping maintain focus on your ultimate aspirations. These combined tools not only fortify your resilience to distractions but also ensure your actions are consistently aligned with your life mission.
Assessing Opportunities: As we tread through life, we are presented with a plethora of opportunities. Your "Why" offers a robust template to evaluate these, ensuring they are in sync with your intrinsic motivations. This framework prevents you from getting swept away by the allure of superficial gains, directing you towards opportunities that truly resonate with your purpose. Meanwhile, emotional agility empowers you to adeptly handle the gamut of emotions these opportunities might incite—be it excitement, anxiety, or fear—preventing emotional responses from clouding your judgment.
Dr. Card's "Healthy Mind Habits" methodology complements these principles, highlighting the significance of understanding stress responses and recognizing personal stress triggers. By encouraging the adoption of these habits, she empowers individuals to take charge of their mental health and steer their lives towards genuine fulfillment.
Conclusion: Unlocking happiness
The pandemic has underscored the importance of understanding our "Why," practicing emotional agility, and nurturing our overall well-being. As we navigate the post-pandemic world, happiness seems rooted in aligning our actions with our core motivations and skillfully managing our emotions.
Remember, fulfillment lies not just in reaching the destination but in the journey — the ongoing process of self-discovery, growth, and learning. I encourage you, the reader, to embark on this journey, cultivate emotional agility, discover your "Why," and unlock the secret to a fulfilling life.
Andre Shojaie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Andre Shojaie is a member of Forbes and a passionate transformational leader with 20 years of experience in business transformation contexts in Europe and Canada (regulatory framework, methodological framework, digital shift, business model).
He is CEO of HumanLearn to help people and organizations grow and create value through business, behavioral and emotional agility. As an Executive and Business coach, he has enabled several high potentials and leaders from around forty countries to accelerate and maximize their personal development and/or the performance of their company.
He is a frequently requested speaker at conferences and business meetings around the world. He sits on several boards of directors. His mission: Making us even more extraordinary and successful beings in an ever-changing world!
