As I was filling up my gas tank yesterday and deciding between regular, super, or super + octane fuel,  I started to consider the similarities between the choices we have when it comes to what emotions we can choose to fuel our actions.

Before we take action we experience a feeling state.

Our feelings are 5,000 times more powerful electromagnetically than our thoughts and therefore are super important to pay attention to upon engaging in any activity. Let's say you're feeling frustrated, angry, or obligated before starting a task. You'll likely feel bitter, resentful, and depleted over time.

For a recovering people pleaser, I often said yes and committed to things that I really didn’t want to do and when it came time to do the activity the emotional fuel driving the action was bitterness. This bitterness would lead to depletion and I would often burn out or quit as a result. 

Now, before I engage in an activity whether that be a workout, a speech, or a live video I try to be really intentional with what emotions I am recruiting to drive my actions. Last week when I gave a 3- hour corporate workshop with a colleague who knows this work we agreed to fuel our talk with fun & excitement. I have a tendency to get really serious and put pressure on myself before a big presentation, but this intention really set the tone and I was able to experience that excitement throughout the talk.

It is no surprise then when you cultivate positive feeling states during an activity you are more likely to stick with it and yield better results. So, the next time you have you activity that you are participating in I want you to ask yourself: what emotional fuel do I want to put in the tank?

Here are some Emotional Fuel options:

Regular 

• Hopeful

• Aware

• Cheerful

• Peaceful

Super

• Excited

• Proud

• Hopeful

• Energetic

Super (+)

• Powerful

• Joyful

• Stimulated

• Fascinated

Then the key is to find a thought that you believe at least a little bit to create that emotional state inside of you. It may take a little practice, but I promise it will lead you to less burnout and more consistency over time. 

I have 2 spots open for individual coaching starting in September & October if you are seriously considering coaching I would invite you to a connection call with me.

Warmly,

Melanie