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.