Many of us, me included, like to blame everybody else other than ourselves. Perhaps it’s the colleague that did not do as agreed, the guy who cut you in the line, or maybe it was the co-worker who called in sick and you had to take over?
Unfortunately, being in a bad mood, victimizing our selves and staying grouchy for hours or even the rest of that day almost always falls back on yourself – and the person you pointed your finger at? Do they really care? NO, I don't think so, they have moved on and don't even know what misery they caused in you.
Being aware of what these situations do to us allows us to change our reaction and keep our selves in a more positive place. We can do this by following the COAL method:
C – Curious – Be curious. Where did that reaction come from? Is it your reaction or others? What does it do to you?
O - Observe – How does the reaction make you feel? Are you sad, not loved, not recognized, not accepted? Do you know this reaction from earlier?
A – Accept – Accept your reaction and how you feel right now. Acceptance is often the key to move on.
L – Love – Give yourself the love, recognition or attention you need – you cannot expect others to give it to you. They don't even know what's going on in you.
Using the COAL method can put us in a better place. It can help us monitor mood and eliminate feeling bad for the rest of the day. Basically it helps us stay the best version of our selves at work and at home. And better yet, a better colleague, partner, leader, and even mom or dad.
There are various other methods or ways to raise your positive energy and inner climate to serve you instead of fighting you. Here’s an article that I wrote and had published in Forbes that I’d like to share with you 7 ways to boost your personal energy at work .
These 7 ways and the COAL method have certainly helped me many times raise my energy level in life and business. Let me know which ones work for you and feel free to share your best ideas to more Ups in everyday life at the office and at home.
- Anne