Managing Emotions During Career Change and Job Search, Part Two

Half the battle in successfully managing your emotions during a job search or career change process is in recognizing and naming what you're feeling.� Most of us could barely brainstorm a dozen or so emotions, yet many, many more exist.

As you begin naming what you're feeling, this list of emotions, each arrayed within a cluster of similar but different emotions, will help you expand your awareness of the depth and breadth of all that you feel in the course of any given day:

Happy:

• buoyant
• festive
• playful
• brisk
• generous
• pleased
• calm
• glad
• relaxed
• carefree
• grateful
• restful
• cheerful
• hilarious
• satisfied
• comfortable
• inspired
• serene
• complacent
• jolly
• surprised
• contented
• joyous
• sparkling
• ecstatic
• jubilant
• spirited
• elated
• lighthearted
• thrilled
• enthusiastic
• merry
• vivacious
• excited
• optimistic��
• exhilarated
• peaceful��

Eager:

• anxious
• earnest
• keen
• ardent
• enthusiastic
• proud
• avid
• excited
• zealous
• desirous
• intent��
  �

Doubtful:

• defeated
• hopeless
• skeptical
• dubious
• indecisive
• suspicious
• evasive
• perplexed
• unbelieving
• distrustful
• pessimistic
• uncertain
• helpless
• powerless
• wavering
• hesitant
• questioning���
  �

Physical:

• alive
• paralyzed
• tense
• breathless
• repulsed
• tired
• empty
• sluggish
• uptight
• feisty
• stretched
• weak
• hollow
• strong
• weary
• immobilized
• sweaty��
• nauseated
• taut��
  �

Sad:

• ashamed
• dull
• quiet
• blah
• embarrassed
• somber
• choked up
• gloomy
• sorrowful
• compassionate
• heavy
• hearted
• sulky
• concerned
• ill
• at ease
• sullen
• disappointed
• in the dumps
• sympathetic
• discontented
• low
• shameful
• discouraged
• melancholy
• unhappy
• dismal
• moody
• useless
• dreadful
• mournful
• worthless
• dreary
• out of sorts��
  �

Hurt:

• aching
• heartbroken
• pathetic
• afflicted
• injured
• suffering
• cold
• isolated
• tortured
• crushed
• lonely
• worried
• despair
• offended��
• distressed
• pained��
  �

Affectionate:

• aggressive
• loving
• tender
• appealing
• passionate
• warm
• seductive
• close
• sexy
  �

Afraid:

• alarmed
• fidgety
• pressured
• anxious
• frightened
• shaky
• appalled
• gutless
• shocked
• apprehensive
• hesitant
• scared
• awed
• horrified
• suspicious
• cautious
• hysterical
• terrified
• cowardly
• impatient
• threatened
• dependent
• insecure
• timid
• dismayed
• nervous
• tragic
• doubtful
• panicky
• worried
• fearful
• petrified��
  �

Angry:

• annoyed
• frustrated
• offended
• awkward
• fuming
• provoked
• belligerent
• furious
• resentful
• bewildered
• grumpy
• stubborn
• bitter
• indignant
• sulky
• boiling
• infuriated
• sullen
• confused
• inflamed
• wrathful
• cross
• irate��
• enraged
• irritated��
  �

Fearless:

• bold
• determined
• loyal
• brave
• encouraged
• proud
• confident
• hardy
• reassured
• courageous
• impulsive
• secure
• daring
• independent��
  �

Interested:

• absorbed
• engrossed
• intrigued
• concerned
• excited��
• curious
• fascinated��
  �

Miscellaneous:

• bored
• envious
• mixed-up
• cruel
• humble
• preoccupied
• distant
• jealous

Print this list and try reviewing one or more times daily to expand your awareness of what you're feeling and build your emotional vocabulary.� The more you know about your own feelings, the more equipped you will be to deal with them safely and appropriately throughout your career.

Cheryl Lynch Simpson is a Spiritual Director and Solutions Coach who helps women discover and create the life they've always wanted to live.� Cheryl is the author of over 30 print/Internet articles and the founder of Coaching Solutions For Women, a coaching website that produces and showcases career, business, and life solutions that improve the life balance of today's busy women.� For a complimentary copy of her latest e-book, Ten-Minute Stress Zappers for Women Service Business Owners, visit http://www.coachingsolutionsforwomen.com.