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JEFF D.
Hollywood, FL
United States

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are emotions a human weakness, or a strength when it comes to making a resolution or solving a problem?

i think its both a weakness and a strength when one is trying to find a resolution for some sort of situation. There are numerous cases when emotion is and isn't a weakness, or strength. knowing what type of feeling one should feel in order to be successful in a "once in lifetime situation' (such as a basketball championship, or a job interview) is GOLDEN knowledge, that many of us don't know. i would like to hear people's perspectives on what emotions are a weakness or strengths when trying to make a resolution.

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Linda Taylor 50+
- +1
Sep 17 2012: Depends on the problem.

Deciding to get married, emotion is a strength.

Deciding your investment portfolio, emotion is a weakness.

Trick is to know which is which.
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
- +1
Sep 17 2012: Emotions has a lot to do with memory and connection; it is one of the things that makes us human.
That is why we can empathize and sympathize.

We have to be aware of our emotions; sometimes it has to be brought under control by choice (just like we dont allow our instincts to have absolute control).

We may use our emotions to our advantage; but that is because we are aware of the human ability to feel and connect. We should make sure that persuasion does not become manipulation.
There are people who would try to manipulate us with their awareness of emotions (ours and theirs)

Emotions, like freedom, brings strength and brings weaknesses. It is not about having a good thing; it continues to be good only if it is put into good use.
- JEFF D.
  - +1
  Sep 17 2012: i / We should make sure that persuasion does not become manipulation.
  It is not about having a good thing; it continues to be good only if it is put into good use.
  i believe i understand you, and i like how it sounds.
  "sometimes it has to be brought under control by choice"
  you one of the first persons i can say i completely agreed with your statement.!
  thank you for your input.
  Now i'm leaning towards the idea that emotions a inevitable (because we're humans) , but that if use properly can be more good than bad. more of a strength than a weakness in many situations.
  "sometimes it has to be brought under control by choice" - but making sure we aren't manipulating ourselves, or others,
  again thank you for you input. VERY HELPFUL.
Lars Mews
- +1
Sep 17 2012: I think emotions create our personality. Someone without emotions appears cold, dead-and someone with too much emotions appears weird, crazy.

But, emotions do not tell about personal talents. There are many great artists who fear going on stage, if they would trust in their emotion, they probably would not enter the stage.

So i guess, a key element is not to control emotions, but to put them aside in certain situations. Brains do not multitask, they complete one task at one time, followed by another. Who is stuck in solving his emotional conflicts, will not be able to act out his talents.

As you just can do one thing at one time, it might help to get back to the stage example. Once you notice you are feared going on a stage you gonna have two options: 1) Spent attention to that fear, 2) go on stage.

Both can be the right decision, but whatever your decision is, you should focus only on your choice. When you take number 2 and go on stage, than you need to concentrate on that only. If you switch between being on stage and thinking about how feared you are, you will not suceed in whatever.

When you choose 1 and drift away in thoughts where you wished you were on a stage, you will not be able to get behind your fears.

So, i think the key element in sucess is to focus on what you are doing, whatever you are doing. Not to mix everything up or see a connection where no connection is.
- Christopher Melvin
  - +1
  Sep 17 2012: the practice of going on stage full of emotion may be considered mastery of self. allowing ones self to feel the emotions of the crowd and to resonate with empathy therefore compounding intuitive logic with compassion.
  
  (waited my whole life to write that, thanks!)
  - JEFF D.
    
    0
    Sep 17 2012: even if the crow hates you?. (lets say an important UFC fight)
    - Christopher Melvin
      
      +1
      
      Sep 17 2012: Especially if the crowd hates you, your life is on the line. Your emotion exists in the nature of survival. You will either fight with every ounce of passion and skill or you will not and you may die either way.
  - JEFF D.
    
    0
    Sep 17 2012: nice!
- JEFF D.
  - 0
  Sep 17 2012: VERY HELPFUL. i haven't taught about putting the emotions that hold you back 'aside'. sounds like a realistic way of overcoming fear, of something in order to succeed at something.
  it may be possible for a person to practice putting fear 'aside' , for when the job interview comes, or game time comes, the person would be able to put all worries aside, and perform at the highest level possible.
  if the key element is really focus.
  then i guess emotions, ---can be more of weakness, than a strength when it comes to performing and find a resolution under pressure.
  reminds me of the military.
  however i cant stop thinking of times when i, performed above and beyond of what i new i could do (in sports, physical activities) under a lot pressure, because i was felt so humble, and wanted to make a statement. (sort of like ROCKY)
  I'm kind of like the good artist who fears to go on stage. right now "Focus" seems to be the answer, feeling 'humble' also seems like it could help (remembering my initial purpose). so IT seems that anything that distracts you from fear/worries or sadness etc, can help one performed at their peak level, or find a good resolution under pressure. the "humble" part--- also reminds me of the military.
  - Lars Mews
    
    +1
    Sep 17 2012: I think that is why things like meditation and autogenic training show effects, both train to focus on things. That is why they show effects later on in other aspects of life, not because of the calming effect while you do that, but because you train to focus and this helps you in daily situations.
    
    I think that can be done with many things, every one should find something he or she likes and do this some times a week, and when you do this, you should not be interrupted, nor interrupt yourself. Same like when soldiers train to shoot, when they begin, they do only that, nothing else. Things like shooting in stress scenarios come later, when the ability to focus on a shot is established. Again the same learning structure.
    
    Also in sports, athletes learn to focus on a special thing, that is why some players with less good technique/talent can win against opponents who have more talent, once these lose focus. That happens often when one team makes a goal or point, and the other team loses focus and gets emotional. Whilst teams who need the next point to survive the game also focus, but use their emotions to clear their minds.
    
    So it is not that much about distraction or denying emotions, but to learn about own weaknesses and the personal emotional character and include this in the personal ways to interact in situations.
    
    In job interviews people focus often on what they want to appear like, not on what talents they have. But the interviewer sees so many people, he will look through anyways. So you might make a point if you show that you have stress, but that you can focus on the interview whilst stressed. That is more usefull for a job than just looking good when feeling good...
Joee Ern
- +1
Sep 17 2012: I believe logic is imperative in order to be productive; however, emotions works as a moderator that may increase or decrease the effort. As far as effort = performance is dependent on the task.

So specifically to a job interview with case-/problem solving (a place where you are observed and evaluated), I think emotions will enhance a person's cognitive ability, but only as long as the person has a feeling of mastering the task beforehand. If it's not the case, then emotions, I think, would only be a barrier and stress factor that would in turn decrease performance.
- JEFF D.
  - 0
  Sep 17 2012: I agreed. "has a feeling of mastering the task beforehand." its hard to feel like that. to me. specially when im faced with New challenges (sports). however if somehow i were to understand how to feel this way, it could very well be the key to success.
  thanks for your input.
  - Joee Ern
    
    +1
    Sep 19 2012: Just remember that a feeling of mastering a task doesn't necessarily have to be a result of comparing to others (although most of us do). See if you can compare your skill level to yourself, that way you will feel that you're mastering a task, hence the emotional input may increase performance. It's worth a shot.
James Zhang 30+
- 0
Sep 17 2012: Just a thought, if we didn't have emotion and we were completely governed by logic, wouldn't we just become robots/machines? At the same time, if machines were given emotions, would they become humans?
- JEFF D.
  - 0
  Sep 17 2012: right. but would you agreed, that in a "a lot pressure" situation, such as combat. or something less rigorous, such as an Olympic event with no second chances , and no room for mistakes.
  performing like a robot/machine would be better that performing feeling a certain way (emotions)?
  - James Zhang 30+
    
    +1
    Sep 17 2012: I've heard that cutting off emotion was more beneficial in some circumstances, but I've also heard using emotion as a medium to do your best is also more beneficial.
    - JEFF D.
      
      0
      
      Sep 17 2012: me too, that's why i want to figure out an answer.
  - James Zhang 30+
    
    0
    Sep 17 2012: I guess it just depends on subjection and context, whichever method works best for some person doing some task.
Gail . 50+
- 0
Sep 17 2012: Emotions can be used as a weapon or a tool, and the choice is always yours.

In my experience, I found that intense emotions are evidence of false beliefs. Once I examined my belief system and set it straight (removed conflicting beliefs and obviously erroneous beliefs, and then established fact-based beliefs), emotions (that are actually painful to endure) were greatly reduced to the point of unobtrusive. With this established, the job interview does not intimidate me and I exude confidence. I don't do sports or competition, so I can't speak to that. I prefer cooperation, and all that I undertake is to make ME better at what I am attempting - even if I am trying to be better a cooperation.
- JEFF D.
  - 0
  Sep 17 2012: Once I examined my belief system and set it straight (removed conflicting beliefs and obviously erroneous beliefs, and then established fact-based beliefs)
  what do you mean by fact base-beliefs?--- is it kind of like knowing the facts in your resume, lets say for a job interview.
  if i'm correct, consider this hypothetical situation----- you're trying to get job of your dreams, there is only one spot. (no other chances in the future) , you know the facts in your resume and why you qualify for the job. however you also know that someone else is 'gunning' for the same job, and you know that virtually that persons (his or hers resume) is more qualify for the job than you. would you still take a look at the facts?---if so, the facts state that you wont get the job. (i understand you don't do sports, or competitions).
  
  i can understand how you could "examined my belief system and set it straight (removed conflicting beliefs and obviously erroneous beliefs," but i don't the "established fact base belief" part that can lead to you to feeling confident.
  - Gail . 50+
    
    0
    Sep 18 2012: When your belief system is in rational order, the fear that you allude to will be gone. It will be replaced with confidence.
    
    You are conversing with a person who grew up in a time when women were openly discriminated against. My first job was an "office girl", and I found that job through the "girl wanted" ads, not the "female wanted" ad. I had to endure horrible mistreatment. Men were in management. Women served them - even to the point of doing their jobs for them with no extra pay.
    
    In 10 years, I was one of 2 women in management in the nationwide company. A few years later, I was the only woman in a commission sales position. (My boss came up to me one day and said that I was making more than the men, so he was going to cut my pay. I talked him out of it, but that was the reality of the time)
    
    I speak from experience dealing with what you are talking about. When you walk into an interview with confidence, doors open. People love to be around confident people. (confidence =/= arrogance. People do not like to be around arrogant people or people who are insecure and need to have their hands held.)
  - Gail . 50+
    
    +1
    Sep 18 2012: This motivational speaker addresses what you talk about. He is the most respected motivational speaker on the face of the earth. He barely made it out of high school, was labeled educable mentally retarded - was raised in the worst of Miami's slums - but is now the most successful speaker in the world. I think this is the video where he talks about walking into an interview against some PhDs, and he got the job.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqfYJ0Cf1OA&list=PLxNAh7QGXuiKPlScdf2d4ycmSrNlXWqNd&index=7&feature=plpp_video
    - JEFF D.
      
      0
      
      Sep 21 2012: THANK YOU for your input. VERY HELPFUL.
      sorry you had to go thru so much B.S from the way men treated women.
      thanks for sharing that personal info.
James Zhang 30+
- +1
Sep 16 2012: That feeling when you've accomplished something great is awesome, satisfying, and self-rewarding.
- JEFF D.
  - 0
  Sep 17 2012: yes it is. but would it be best to 'feel like that' right before a tough workout, or big game(sports) , or another rigorous physical activity.
  or would it be best to feel humble, (back to when you haven't accomplished anything), for a big game(sports)
  i understand from experience its better to have both feelings.
  
  the answer to this question, determines whether or not an athlete will play his or hers best in games.

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