In the previous articles, we discussed why emotions matter. You can read them in the link given here: Why emotions matter – part 1, why emotions matter – part 2.
Emotions affect everything that we do, that includes all our thoughts and actions as well. In the earlier articles, we addressed how emotions affect our relationships, physical and mental functioning, our daily functioning as well our decision-making process.
In this article, we will look at the other two aspects of why emotions matter. It affects our attention, memory and learning process together with it dampens our creativity as well.
In the example of Greg, he has been so involved at work because he wanted to get a promotion. He has been under so much stress lately to get this promotion and so his family life took a back seat. He has been forgetting things at home and slacking on his responsibility that it is creating tension with his wife. He is noticing lapses at work as well and he is not able to remember all the work that is allotted to him. He often finds himself going back to his boss to clarify his work.
How do emotions affect Attention, Memory?
In Greg’s case, he had so much of stress with relation to the work and the promotion that it affected his attention span. He had to clarify many times to the boss what his work was. There is a direct connection to being upset and not being able to concentrate. When a person is emotional and upset, it is often hard for him to stay focused. If the emotion is not expressed, then that is lingering in the mind and it creates a block to recalling things or remembering them.
It also affects daily functioning, click here to read the article about it: why emotions matter, part 1.
Greg was forgetting all the things that needed care in the home and he was also going back to his boss trying to understand what work he was suppose to do.
Another aspect to consider is that when emotions are not managed well it is capable of dampening creativity. When stress is prevalent in the work place as well as home, it will automatically dampen the spirits and the need to do things differently will be negated.
How can a person manage emotions well in relation to his attention span as well as his creativity?
One approach that can help in this area is to break work into smaller bits. This helps to do things efficiently and the satisfaction of having done them gives a euphoria of feelings. This generates an impetus to want to do things differently and more effectively. This will also give one more time to do activities that one enjoys. It helps to bring out one’s creativity as one would have more time to think and work on the things that one enjoys.
Another way to work with creativity is to join hands with a friend or colleague to give ideas that will help to move things along. Two minds are better than one likewise two minds together will definitely produce better results. Getting help from a friend will sometimes help to get out the block that you might have.
To read more on how emotions affect decision making process - part 2; and how emotions can affect relationships, - part 1
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