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Almost Everyone Gets This Wrong
Don't let this be you...
Justin Mecham
May 10, 2025
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
Emotions aren’t the problem— avoiding them is.
We’ve been taught to divide emotions into good and bad.
But emotions aren’t a problem.
They’re data.
And the most powerful emotions? Are the ones that feel the most complex.
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The truth is— most people don’t talk about what they feel.
They just react.
But when you understand what’s really going on inside, you respond with clarity.
You show up with presence, you lead with strength, and you give others permission to do the same.
That’s emotional intelligence.
That’s real leadership.
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘The Truth About Emotions'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
5 Ways Emotions Show Up at Work—and What to Do About It
1. You Feel Motivated… But Tired
Scenario: You’re hitting your goals, but you're mentally checked out by 3 p.m.
Emotion Pair:
Ambition + Fatigue = Burnout
Why it matters:
High ambition without enough recovery leads to quiet burnout—where you’re still productive, but less sharp.
What to do:
Identify low-impact tasks to pause.
Block 15 minutes today to walk, rest, or unplug—without multitasking.
Shift to make:
Burnout isn't about weakness. It’s about overextension. Protect your best hours.
2. You’re Doubting Yourself After a Big Win
Scenario: You led a meeting well but kept replaying a small mistake afterward.
Emotion Pair:
Confidence + Vulnerability = Courage
Why it matters:
Real courage isn’t boldness—it’s trusting your growth even when you feel unsure.
What to do:
Write down 2 things that went well and 1 thing you’d do differently next time.
Shift to make:
Confidence doesn’t mean silence.
It means moving forward, even when you’re not sure how it landed.
3. You’re Grateful for a Teammate, But Jealous of Their Praise
Scenario: A peer gets public praise on a project you helped with.
Emotion Pair:
Gratitude + Envy = Contentment
Why it matters:
You can feel happy for them and still wish you got credit too.
That duality is human.
What to do:
Message them something sincere.
Then, make one small ask this week to spotlight your own work.
Shift to make:
Feeling both things doesn’t make you fake—it makes you self-aware.
4. You're Trying to Stay Hopeful… But Doubt Creeps In
Scenario: You pitched a big idea, got vague feedback, and now you're second-guessing it.
Emotion Pair:
Hope + Doubt = Determination
Why it matters:
Hope needs action to stay alive.
Without action, it turns into passive doubt.
What to do:
Set a 24-hour deadline to follow up or clarify the next step.
Shift to make:
Doubt isn’t a stop sign.
It’s a signal to move with clarity.
5. You're Struggling to Stay Calm in a Tough Situation
Scenario: A big client is unhappy and the outcome isn’t clear yet.
Emotion Pair:
Peace + Uncertainty = Resilience
Why it matters:
Uncertainty often causes overreacting or freezing.
Neither helps.
What to do:
Ask: “What do I actually know right now?” and “What’s the next best step I can take?”
Shift to make:
Resilience isn’t ignoring stress.
It’s choosing not to let it decide for you.
Which emotion combo shows up most for you at work?Take 10 seconds and vote in our quick poll. |
Click Here to see how to make them easier!
Daily Challenge
Pick one emotion pair you want to understand better.
Today, your challenge is simple: observe that emotion when it shows up—without reacting right away.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1:
Name it. The moment you feel a shift (tension, joy, worry, doubt), pause and say the emotion quietly in your mind. (e.g., “This is anxiety and excitement.”)
Step 2:
Do nothing for 10 seconds. Let the emotion be there without judging it or trying to act on it.
Step 3:
Ask this: “What is this emotion trying to tell me right now?”
Whether it’s anger and compassion, or peace and uncertainty, this short pause can stop automatic reactions—and help you choose a better next move.
Do this once today. Just one moment of awareness can change how the rest of your day feels.
AI Prompt to use: “Act like an expert in emotional intelligence. Today, I want to be more aware of my emotions and handle them better. Based on that, give me one simple focus for today, one common mistake to avoid, and one quick reminder I can repeat to stay on track.”
You can use this video for more useful tips. (Click Here to See It)
You can’t lead what you can’t understand.
You bring your emotions with you into every meeting, every task, every decision.
You don’t lose credibility by feeling—you gain power by noticing.
When you understand how you feel, you respond instead of react.
And when you do that, people feel safe around you.
The smartest people know when to stop and listen to themselves.
And that’s what makes them worth following.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
Why I Had to Rethink How I Handle Emotion at Work
One meeting changed everything for me.
It wasn’t the topic. It wasn’t the outcome. It was the moment I realized I had misread someone’s emotions—and nearly missed the truth behind them.
In this short video, I’ll tell you exactly what happened, and what I do differently now as a leader.
💡 One Tip to Lead Better
When you notice a shift in your emotional state during interactions—be it frustration, excitement, or anxiety—pause briefly and mentally identify the emotion. For instance, think to yourself, "I'm feeling overwhelmed right now." This simple act of naming your emotion can create a moment of awareness, allowing you to choose a more thoughtful and effective response.
By acknowledging your emotions as they arise, you can prevent impulsive reactions and maintain clarity in your decision-making.
🤖 AI Tool of the Week
Ellie AI
What it does:
Ellie is an AI-powered Chrome extension that helps you write calm, professional replies to emails—even when you're frustrated or emotionally charged.
Why it matters:
When emotions are high, we often react too quickly. Ellie helps you pause, clarify your tone, and respond in a way that keeps your credibility and relationships intact.
How to use it:
Install it on Chrome → Write or paste your draft → Let Ellie rewrite it with clarity, warmth, or neutrality—depending on what you need.
→ Try the tool here: https://www.ellie.ai/
🧠 Quote + Thought for the Week
"Emotions aren't good or bad. They're data." — Brené Brown
Most people try to ignore or hide their emotions at work. But emotions are signals. They show you what matters, where there's friction, and what needs clarity. If you listen without judgment, you gain insight. If you react without pause, you lose control. Awareness is the difference between being ruled by emotions—and using them wisely.
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