Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly achieve their vocational goals while others struggle to make progress? The secret lies not just in skills or opportunities, but in something much deeper: our feelings. Yes, those emotions, often hidden under the skin, swirling within us—joy, fear, envy, love—play a pivotal role in shaping our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our success.
So instead of solely focusing out there, and wondering why things aren’t going to plan, perhaps it would be fruitful to bring our attention to where we are creating from. Let’s take a look at how understanding and managing our feelings can unlock our true potential and help us achieve our vocational dreams.
Feelings: The Inner World That Shapes Reality
Our thoughts are the architects of our reality. They determine how we use our talents, how we approach challenges, and whether we succeed or fail. But what shapes these thoughts? The answer is simple: our feelings. Feelings are the invisible force that drives our thinking, and ultimately, our actions.
Most of us are well-trained in navigating the outer world—learning skills, building resumes, and networking. But how often do we turn inward to understand the hidden world of our emotions? This inner world is where the magic happens. When we learn to harness our feelings, we unlock a wellspring of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness that can propel us toward our goals.
Hidden Negative Emotions: The Blocks to Potential
Let’s face it: negative feelings are part of life. They range from mild discomfort to deep pain, and they often manifest as thoughts like “I can’t” or “This won’t work.” These feelings—anger, grief, anxiety, envy—can be overwhelming, and our instinct is often to suppress them. But the catch is suppressing negative emotions doesn’t make them disappear. Instead, they resurface as negative thoughts, sabotaging our efforts and clouding our judgment. The negativity is not in the circumstances or events but comes from our reaction to the situation and the way we are seeing it; on the whole, they are telling us something about how far we’ve strayed from seeing ourselves and not what’s out there.
Dynamics of Comparison, Self-doubt and Envy
One of the most destructive negative feelings in the workplace is envy. When we see others succeeding, it can trigger a sense of inadequacy within us. We start comparing ourselves, doubting our abilities, and resenting others for their achievements. This cycle of envy and self-doubt drains our energy and keeps us stuck in a loop of dissatisfaction.
But there’s a way out. The key is to turn inward and acknowledge these hidden emotions. When we recognize and release our envy, insecurity, and self-doubt, we free ourselves from their grip. If only we would focus on what we love for the sake of it, we too can achieve greatness when we let go of negativity and embrace our uniqueness and passions. We can stop comparing ourselves to others and start focusing on our own journey.
Our self-doubts act like invisible walls, blocking the very recognition and success we crave. But once we truly see how much these negative feelings cost us—our happiness, our progress, our potential—we start to realize it’s time to let them go. And yes, that includes letting go of the little “payoffs” we get from holding onto them. You know, those moments of cheap satisfaction when we blame others for our lack of success, or when we soak up sympathy from complaining about how unfair life is. It’s not easy to release these habits, but once we do, we free ourselves to step into a brighter, more empowered version of who we’re meant to be.
Positive Feelings: Access to the Source of Creativity
On the flip side, positive feelings—joy, happiness, security—are like sunshine breaking through the clouds. They inspire thoughts of “I can” and “We can,” and they open the door to creativity and resourcefulness. Positive feelings are our natural state, although they’re often buried under layers of suppressed negativity, they are an expression of who we truly are.
When the clouds of negativity part, the sun of our true potential shines through. As we let go of what weighs us down, our abilities, creativity, and resourcefulness naturally rise to the surface. It’s like a ball we’ve been holding under the surface—once we surrender the negative thoughts and self-imposed limitations, inspiration flows freely, unlocking a wellspring of ideas and solutions.
Think about those moments when a sudden breakthrough happens—a writer finally finds the perfect words, an artist discovers a new vision, or a scientist unlocks the key to a problem they’ve been stuck on. These flashes of genius often come when we release the blocks that hold us back. It’s as if the energy of creative potential is always there, waiting for us.
All we have to do is clear away the clouds of negativity to let the sun shine. We do that not by fighting with them. You can’t fight with a cloud or a ghost. We simply see them from the love that we are, from the sunshine.
When we embrace the self-doubt and fear, we create space for inspiration to flow. The more we surrender what no longer serves us, the more we tap into the endless reservoir of creativity and innovation within us. The path to greatness isn’t about forcing things—it’s about getting out of our own way and allowing our natural brilliance to emerge.
Feelings and Decision-Making: From Inertia to Peace
Our emotional state influences how we decide things. There are 3 perspectives or stages from which we make choices:
1) Inertia (Apathy, Depression, Grief, Fear): At this level, we’re stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts like “I don’t know” or “I can’t.” Our concentration is impaired, and we struggle to make decisions. Even when we do, they’re often unsustainable because they’re based on fleeting emotions.
2) Drive (Desire, Anger, Pride): Here, we’re fueled by ambition and the desire to prove ourselves. We get things done, but our decisions are often self-centered and focused on personal gain. This “win-lose” mentality limits our potential for true success.
3) Peace (Courage, Acceptance, Love): At the highest level, we operate from a place of inner peace. Our minds are clear, and we’re able to focus fully on the situation at hand. Decisions made from this state are win-win, benefiting everyone involved. We are operating from awareness of Oneness. This is where greatness happens.
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Feelings and Vocational Success
Building a business or selling yourself as a potential employee is a powerful example of how feelings shape vocational success. At the lowest level (inertia), they are often paralyzed by fear and self-doubt, which can stall progress and lead to missed opportunities. At the driven level, they’re fueled by ambition and the desire to prove themselves, but this can sometimes result in pushing too hard or focusing solely on personal gain, creating resistance or burnout. However, at the peaceful level, they operate from a place of clarity and balance. They listen deeply to their customers or potential employers, focus on creating value, and craft solutions that benefit everyone involved. Their success becomes a natural byproduct of their positive, aligned mind and emotional state.
Consider the story of someone starting their own business feeling stuck and frustrated after months of little progress. After letting go of their pent-up stress and surrendering their need to control every outcome, they experience a newfound sense of peace. Almost immediately, opportunities begin to flow—new clients, creative ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose. This shift doesn’t come from forcing things, but from releasing negativity and trusting the process.
This is the power of embracing a positive state of mind. When you let go of fear, self-doubt, and the need to control, you create space for inspiration and opportunity to enter. Whether you’re building a business, or pursuing work that feels aligned, your emotional landscape is the foundation of your success.
This shift in perspective can transform challenges into opportunities and help you achieve the results you’ve been striving for.
Path to Vocational Fulfillment
Achieving fulfillment in your vocation isn’t just about skills, strategies, or hard work. It’s about understanding and mastering your inner world. When you let go of negative feelings and embrace your underlying positive state, you unlock your true potential. You become like the most successful people in the world—those who do what they love, inspire others, and create win-win solutions.
So, take a moment to reflect: What feelings are holding you back? What would it feel like to let them go and step into your power? The journey to vocational fulfillment begins within. Are you ready to take the first step?
See the Sunshine of You!
If this article resonated with you, share it with someone who will benefit. And if you’re ready to explore deeper and release the hidden emotions, that might be holding you back from unlocking your potential, get in touch for an Introductory Consultation call to start your journey back to yourself.
May the clouds part so you can see the sunshine of You!
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
