Turning Triggers Into Teachers – Negative Affect and Emotional Intelligence – 179
Negative Affect Emotional Intelligence: Turn your “triggers” into “teachers” and strengthen your Emotional Intelligence Quotient
In this episode of the Vet Staff Podcast, host Julie South shares how she’s received an unusually high number of calls from veterinary professionals distraught and caught in negative affect behaviours.
Julie introduces how DISC® Flow blends emotional intelligence into the DISC® personality model, providing insights to strengthen competencies like self-regulation, communication, and stress resilience.
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Navigating Negative Emotions on the Path to Growth
In this week’s episode of the Vet Staff Podcast, host Julie South dives deep into the murky realm of “negative affect” – difficult emotions like anger, anxiety, guilt and fear that often fuel unhealthy psychological patterns when left unresolved.
With an influx of calls from veterinary professionals blaming external factors for their struggles, Julie spotlights the critical need for courageous inner work to drive lasting change. She explains that our childhood coping strategies persist into adulthood without conscious examination.
Defining Negative Affect
Julie defines negative affect as relating to emotions like anger, contempt, disgust, fear and guilt.
While uncomfortable, these feelings serve an important signalling function about issues requiring attention. However, unresolved negative affect can manifest as depression, anxiety, mood disorders over time – impacting perception, behavior and physical health.
The Dangers of Suppression
Attempting to completely suppress negative emotions tends to backfire eventually in the form of emotional depletion or outbursts, Julie cautions.
Finding healthy expression avenues is key – starting with building self-awareness around our emotional landscape.
Examining Destructive Psychological Patterns
Many coping strategies develop in childhood as ways to handle trauma, notes Julie.
Without conscious intervention, these mechanisms persist into adulthood. Julie emphasises taking personal responsibility for self-destructive thoughts and behaviours rather than blaming external factors.
The Temporary Allure of Geographical Escapes
Julie explores the common temptation to physically relocate and leave difficulties behind. However, geographical escapes provide only temporary distraction if core mindsets and behaviours remain unaddressed – with self-destructive patterns eventually resurfacing.
Introducing DISC Flow® Assessments
As a solution, South introduces DISC® Flow personality assessments to illuminate unhelpful tendencies and provide concrete guidance on improving emotional intelligence competencies like self-awareness, empathy, communication and stress management.
By courageously inquiring within, Julie argues we can transform triggers into teachers and unlock lasting resilience.
This episode delivers an urgent call to self-inquiry. It emphasises the need for ownership of our inner terrain in order to manifest outer change.
To find out more about how you present yourself to the world get in touch with Julie direct.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Julie South – on Linkedin – More Awe + Attitude of Gratitude posts
VetClinicJobs – where good employers shine online and people who’re looking for their next job can find them.
Positive Affirmation Series
Other Vet Staff Episodes Worth Listening to
ep 39 – 12 Statements Low EQ People Make
ep 40 – Emotional Intelligence – 6 Ways to Lead as an Emotionally Intelligent Leader
ep 145 – Exploring Social Intelligence – A Key to Personal and Professional Development
Research Links Mentioned in this Series:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-nhealth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125471/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/nature-and-mental-health
VetClinicJobs
where good vet clinic employers shine online and jobseekers go to find them
