4 steps: How to stop being an emotional fool?

This topic might sound funny in the beginning but as soon as we understand this, it will bring us tremendous results and will save us and our precious time.

First of all we should understand what actually is being emotional fool. Well, there were times when we all have gone through this phase when we are very excited and take decisions and commit something which we don’t keep up to later and fail to do it. This act is actually called as being emotional fool. It is the phase when we are either exited or very sad or depressed and we are not able to handle our emotions. So, the decisions taken at that point of time are emotional decisions and not the rational ones.

Now let us understand with some examples.

1. Suppose we have been to a motivational seminar in which the speaker has spoken about a business model and shown the success possibilities of the same. The speaker has quoted that just as an example but we get very excited by the words of the speaker and we are totally into his/her words and get back home very excited jumping of the ground and shouting “we will be successful”. I am going to start that business the speaker was talking about. See, now what is the problem here? The problem is, that was just an example which may not work for us in the exact same way as the speaker told, because there are so many variables and factors we should take into consideration. Thus, this is being an emotional fool in which we take decisions emotionally.
2. Many of us have experienced depression in our lives some or the other time. Suppose somebody is very depressed so that he/she is not able to handle his/her emotions and take a decision to smoke or consume alcohol only because he/she is depressed. This act of decision is also termed as being emotional fool.

So with the above examples it is very clear that what is being an emotional fool. It happens not only in the emotions of excitement or sadness but also in the act of praise. When somebody praises us and we become a balloon and feels like top of the sky. Being emotional is not wrong but taking irrational decisions during that phase may bring trouble to us.

Thus, we shall see the steps or the ways to avoid such situations and be in control all the time.

Step 1: Take a deep breath: Taking a deep breath when we are emotional makes us alert and bring back our awareness to the existing situation. This gives us a way to move forward.

Step 2: Respond instead of reacting: in spite of any emotional situation whether happiness, excitement, depression, sorrow, we should not take immediate decision. They may prove to be wrong later. Thus, follow the first step and think twice.

Step 3: Learn to say no: Saying no is an art which everyone must master. Don’t be that person who pleases everyone. This may sound harsh but this will benefit you in many ways in the future. This doesn’t mean that we become miserable, nasty, or arrogant. There is a way to say no. You should be polite enough to keep your point, say clearly about your decision. The person to whom you are saying no may feel bad at first but will gradually understand and accept you if he/she is your real well wisher.

Step 4: Do not commit anything which you are not sure of: this is very important and should be taken seriously because when we are being emotional either positively or negatively, the decision making might be affected due to that phase of emotional state. Thus, do not commit to anyone anything which you will not be able to keep up to. This may lead to grudges and your accountability might be compromised and the person may lose hope which he/she was keeping from you.

Emotions are simply energy in motion. These are beautiful aspects of our existence. So, embrace it, enjoy it but at the same time do not get carried away with it. Accept it as you are accepting every experience you are going through in life. Emotions are the guiding points to let us think and take the next step in this journey of life. So let us follow these simple steps whenever we are overwhelmed with any emotion. These points will surely help us and guide us on the path.