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Emotions don’t just happen to us—they shape the way we show up, especially when we’re under pressure. By choosing how we want to feel, even when fear or self-doubt creeps in, we can intentionally steer our careers in a more empowered direction. When we stop defaulting to worst-case scenarios and start imagining what could go right, we open the door to real momentum and possibility.

Emotional exhaustion has quietly taken over too much of our day-to-day, leaving us drained, detached, and struggling to stay focused. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overthinking, blaming, or trying to control things beyond our reach, but the power lies in recognizing what we can influence and choosing intentional responses.

Workplace stress and negative emotions may be inevitable these days, but managing them effectively is key to maintaining our professionalism and personal well-being. Taking things personally often leads to unnecessary suffering because others’ actions and words reflect their own experiences, fears, and biases rather than objective truths about us.

Triggers are not about external events but the meanings we attach to them, often stemming from unresolved emotional wounds, unfulfilled expectations, or feeling like we aren’t measuring up in our comparisons to others. Seven common stressors—uncertainty, lack of appreciation, lack of creativity, unpredictable environments, overwhelm, reliance on others, and conflict—can lead to frustration, anxiety, and self-sabotaging behaviors.

We can't change people so we need to stop trying because it's wasted effort. Our energy is better spent focusing on how we can improve ourselves. No one wants to follow someone else's rules for them so even if they do, they aren't likely to do it exactly the way you'd want them to. You're just setting yourself up for disappointment.