Self Motivation Technique:
Making Decisions Using
The Emotional Guidance Scale

The self motivation technique I will share with you in this article will help you get better at  trusting and following your instincts, and reducing how much stress you feel day-to-day.  

I ignored this technique and I ended up spending time and energy doing something that zapped my energy.  Here's what happened:

Special Invitation...

He was gracious, interested and interesting as he described how the Association he developed helps consultants build and expand their businesses. I listened and feigned interest because he was so sincere and obviously passionate about what he's doing. 

He invited me to their next meeting.  I wrote the date in my calendar, agreeing that I would “be happy to attend” as I consciously ignored my own inner thoughts and feelings of low interest and dread.

A day before the meeting I received a “Courtesy Touch” email from this very nice person reminding me about it. He’d customized the message and was so darn friendly that I didn’t have the heart to cancel. Though I wanted to.

I got up at 5:30 a.m.,for the 7:00-a.m. meeting to get ready, walk the dog and get out the door in time to miss traffic. I live Atlanta, GA where traffic jams are a normal part of everyday travel.  Up early and sitting in traffic all to go to a meeting that I did have to or want to attend!

It turned out that it was a very nice meeting, in a very nice private business club, with very nice people. But honestly while it was all very nice, I found it boring.  The content, nor the intentions of the attendees, were a fit for me or my business.  What a surprise! (She says as she mocks herself for ignoring an important self motivation technique that she's knows always works...)

The Self Motivation Technique I Ignored...

All day, after that meeting, I had to resist the temptation to mentally list and rehearse all the reasons why this group was not where I wanted to spend my time.  Thank goodness I had sense enough to stop my run-away-train thoughts and remind myself that I don’t have to make other people's preferences wrong in order for me to choose what’s best for me. I can still applaud this very nice person, and his passion around what he’s developing, even if participation’s not a match for me.

This self motivation technique 
is all about the gift of Guidance.

I’d received 'Guidance'  - through how I felt and thought about this type of meeting - during that the first phone call and special invitation.

Based on my past experience, and my future intentions, I could FEEL my own energy drain and lack of real interest as soon as he made the invitation.  But because I wanted to ‘be nice,’ I ignored my feelings. Which means I ignored my own Guidance. 

Going to a boring meeting is really no big deal in the big scheme of things in my life. And re-learning to pay attention to my 'Guidance' through this minor situation is a whole lot better than having to experience a big 'hairy situation' to learn it.  But, staying true to my own knowing (Guidance) it is a life lesson that I continue to grasp.

I see professionals ignoring their own Guidance often.  Instead of tuning into what feels 'right' we run from thing to thing, from person to person, asking, “What do YOU think is best? This way? Or this way?”

The more people we ask the more variety in answers we receive, and the more confused and time-scattered we get as we move further and further from our own "knowing".  

We get scattered when we put other's advice and guidance, ahead of our own Guidance. 

Someone else may offer great answers, but those answers are right for them.  They may or my not be right for you.  There are MANY 'right' answers because there are so many people with so many different preferences and intentions and backgrounds.

In my opinion, there is no one right way, there is only the way that best serves your intentions at that time. And only YOU know what that is.  

I re-remembered this important self motivation technique about my own Guidance after that meeting. If an opportunity, or some new information comes your way, and you think and feel – “Yes! That sounds great” - then chances are good that that action is a good one for you. 

On the other hand, if you’re feeling - “Oh No! I'm not sure about that...”  chances are good it's either not the right action or the right timing.  How you feel can guide you toward or away from what's the best match for you.  Hold off if you feel unsure, worry or dread.

I'll try to remember that the next time - since my WaKe Up Eager Life depends on it!

The Emotional Guidance Scale:

Here’s information that will help better understand what your emotions are telling you. Below is an emotional guidance scale from the book:  The Astonishing Power of Emotions - Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide.

Using it to determine where you are on the Scale is a great self motivation technique because the Scale ranks emotions from strong empowerment and strength (Joy/Knowledge) to low empowerment and tension (Fear/Grief).  This Scale helped me realize that all emotions are good, because if I'm feeling emotions I'm in touch with my Guidance.  I can use it to measure how far, for example, the feeling of boredom is from the joy and eagerness I want to feel.  

With this scale I can tune into where I am. Then try to point toward the next emotion above it, to get a little bit of relief. This way I can move up the scale, as possible based upon the situation, one step at the time.

During that meeting I felt bored. See where that is on the scale?  Way below where I usually feel around my business and work. Guidance, indeed.

#1 is the highest, most positive and empowered feeling to the emotion that feels the least empowered #21:

1. Joy/Knowledge/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation
   (Most Empowered Feeling - Greatest Place of Strength and Motivation)
2. Passion
3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness
4. Positive Expectation/Belief
5. Optimism
6. Hopefulness
7. Contentment
8. Boredom
9. Pessimism
10. Over-whelment
11. Disappointment
12. Doubt
13. Worry
14. Blame
15. Discouragement
16. Anger
17. Revenge
18. Hatred/Rage
19. Jealousy
20. Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
21. Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair/Powerlessness
    (Least Empowered Feeling - Lowest Place of Strength and Motivation)

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