I tend to live by emotions. I’m a classic intuitive-feeler type of leader on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I’m sure I rely on how I feel — on my gut instincts — maybe too much when it comes to making decisions about life, about how my days are going, about how I “feel” about work and how I treat people. It is a strength and a weakness. But emotions are part of the deal for me, without a doubt..
Disappointment, accomplishment, sadness, excitement…all of it makes life full, but my favorite emotion may be all that comes with anticipation.
I was recently driving to Colorado. When I saw the mountains in the distance I started to get excited as I pictured the clear streams and the high vistas. I realized I have been coming to this state for like 40 years, and the first sight of the mountains as I approach Denver on Interstate 76 STILL brings with it some extra excitement and anticipation.
Day to day the hopes, dreams, wonder, excitement, awe — the potential of what can be — keeps me going. I’m a dreamer, a visionary, and I have to think about what might be possible. I know that dreams without taking some steps of action are just dreams. I do like the challenge of taking those steps as well, but the dreaming, the ideas, the anticipation…that’s what I love. Sometimes I just need to remind myself to embrace it. It is just part of who I am. As a result, I have to live with the swings, the ups and downs that tend to come with it.
One thing I know is that I need to bring anticipation consistently into my life and the lives of others. It makes the journey more fun, more spontaneous, more mysterious.
So what’s your favorite emotion? What comes to mind when you think of it?
