Other people are the source of our emotions
Any professional life cannot exist without some part of it being related to social interactions. Whether it is a pleasant conversation with a co-worker or a problematic exchange with a client, a person will experience a specter of emotions. According to Reeve (2018), people’s feelings are contagious and often mimicked, rendering others the primary source of emotional reactions. Having learned about such a phenomenon, I can apply the knowledge in my professional life in order to avoid uncomfortable interactions, facilitate forming bonds with others and stimulate potential emotional recovery. In order to do so, it is essential to understand that sharing emotions brings people closer and can provide temporary distress relief (Reeve, 2018). As such, if a client is upset, it is important to sympathize, be understanding, and try to share their feelings, relieving their stress. If something affects my mood, it is wise to seek comforting, soothing dialogue with another employee, facilitating emotional recovery. Such valuable interactions at the workplace can help promote friendships and make the team more perceptive of each other. As such, the fact that other people are the source of our emotions is a piece of knowledge necessary in any professional life.
Encouraging growth is more productive than is curing weakness
Despite the fact that any profession expects a worker to improve and excel, the focus is often shifted towards getting rid of weaknesses rather than towards improving. According to Reeve (2018), seeking validation is not enough for achieving success due to the fact that it centers around problems, further developing anxiety and depression. Instead, a person should strive for self-actualization, growth, learning, and reaching personal potential (Reeve, 2018). Having learned about the importance of setting the right goals in life, I can apply this knowledge in my professional life. As a worker, if I am faced with the struggles of overcoming mental illness, I will be sure to know to see past healing and focus on achieving more than just the absence of issues. I will share this advice with any friend, co-worker, or client if they have to deal with such challenges in life. If my professional life requires me to take a leadership position, I will ensure my subordinates receive guidance and support in their pursuit of self-improvement and self-actualization.
Motivation often arises from a source outside of conscious awareness.
Any profession requires a worker to be motivated, yet it is often difficult to inspire. According to Reeve (2018), implicit motivation is rooted unconsciously, associated with various environmental events, emotional reactions, memories, and desires. These processes are conducted in the back of our minds yet are strong enough to prompt certain behaviors and responses (Reeve, 2018). Having learned that motivation often arises from unconscious associations, I can apply this knowledge in my professional life. Since it is sometimes challenging to understand why we think or react in a specific way, it can cause issues during work. It is important to remember to not always subdue to the feelings evoked by unconsciousness and contemplate more on the way we act and speak. It can also benefit from attempting to decipher some of our deeply hidden motivators in order to be able to inspire ourselves to work. As such, learning more about the process behind motivation is important in any professional life.
Reference
Reeve, J. (2018). Understanding motivation and emotion (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.