Search Inside Yourself
Chapter Five - From Compulsion to Choice
Self regulation consists of the following five emotional competencies:
- Self-control- Controlling angry and/or negative emotions.
- Trustworthiness- Maintaining honesty & integrity.
- Conscientiousness- Being responsible for own personal performance.
- Adaptability- Ability to handle change.
- Innovation- Comfortable with new ideas, approaches and opinions.
All of these competencies involve choice; the want and desire to be good with 'all of the above'. Cheng (author of Search Inside Yourself) introduces us to a technique he refers to as the 'Siberian North Railroad', which is a methodology to help people better deal with emotional triggers. When a seemingly small situation causes a disproportionally large emotional response you have to:
- Stop- The most important step.
- Breathe- Deep breaths help to calm the body.
- Notice- Focus on the changes in tension and temperature around the body.
- Reflect- Where is the emotion coming from? Bring perspective without judging to be right or wrong.
- Respond- Which response(s) would/could result in a positive outcome?
This week one of our tasks set by EDA is to describe some triggers that cause us a disproportionate emotional response when programming. I only experience 2 emotions when programming, frustration & happiness, never both at the same time but always feeling one. As the EDA programme ramps up and we begin pair programming this may change and other emotions my appear (nervousness, fear, anger). Generally, I am a fairly level-headed guy, so I imagine I can deal with these emotions in a cool, calm and collective manner but I will remember the 'Siberian North Railroad' technique and, if needed, will implement it to always work towards a positive outcome.
Stay happy,
