Unlocking Success: The Power of Emotional Steadiness for Young Jobseekers

As you embark on your career journey, there's one trait that stands out above all others in ensuring success: emotional steadiness. Whether you're navigating the business world or any other field, staying emotionally steady can help you weather any storm. It's crucial to remember that things are rarely as great as they seem at their best, nor as terrible as they appear at their worst. Emotional steadiness allows for clear thinking and effective decision-making, even in the most challenging situations.

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To help you cultivate this vital trait, Romeen Sheth has developed 14 principles inspired by Greek philosophy. Each principle offers a question to guide your thoughts and actions during critical moments. Let's dive into these principles and see how they can help you stay emotionally steady and succeed in your career.

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1. Am I being arrogant?

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When you believe you're right and others are wrong, ask yourself if it's due to better:

- (A) Information

- (B) Judgment

- (C) Instinct

If your confidence isn't backed by at least two out of these three factors, you might be missing something important.

2. Am I judging the delivery or the substance?

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Separate the message from the messenger. If you prioritise the messenger over the message, you risk fostering cliques. Focus on the message to promote a meritocratic environment.

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3. Am I connected?

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As your career progresses and your responsibilities grow, staying connected can be challenging. Ensure you have the right information to make decisions, or trust someone else with the task if you don't.

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4. Am I being too pessimistic?

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Balance realism with optimism. Maintain a vision of the opportunities ahead and be disciplined in your approach. This builds credibility and keeps negativity at bay.

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5. Am I being too optimistic?

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Over-optimism can be dangerous. Romanticising situations might lead to unreliable outcomes. Always consider how unexpected risks could impact your plans.

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6. Am I being consistent?

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Clarity and consistency are key. Your team needs to know the goals and expectations. As a leader, your commitment to these standards should never waver.

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7. Am I being passive?

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Address issues early to prevent them from snowballing into bigger problems. Direct communication, though uncomfortable at times, is always better for the team in the long run.

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8. Am I letting perfectionism get in the way?

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While attention to detail is important, don't let perfectionism paralyse you. Strive to get the big things right, even if it means getting some small things wrong.

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9. Am I trying too hard to please?

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Pleasing everyone is a short-term fix that can damage your credibility over time. Focus on promoting truth and long-term sustainability.

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10. Am I overthinking this?

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Every decision has pros and cons. While analysis is crucial, over-analysis leads to paralysis. Favour action and remember that most decisions are reversible.

11. Am I focusing on the input or the output?

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Evaluate your efforts:

- Bad input, bad output = Incompetence

- Bad input, good output = Luck

- Good input, good output = Repeatable success

- Good input, bad output = Persistence is key

Good inputs will eventually lead to good outputs with enough attempts. Keep pushing forward.

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12. Am I afraid to decide?

It's okay to be uncertain, but you must have a path forward:

- Confer with others

- Collect more information

- Set a timeline for the decision

Avoid postponing decisions indefinitely.

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13. Am I taking enough risk?

Taking risks can be daunting but is necessary for growth. Avoid short-term comfort that leads to long-term pain. Big moves are often required to achieve significant progress.

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14. Am I leading from the front?

Set the tone by being the hardest worker. Demonstrate your commitment through action, not just words. This approach builds respect and inspires others to give their best.

By applying these principles, you'll be better equipped to handle critical situations with emotional steadiness. Remember, clarity of thought is your greatest ally. Stay steady, stay focused, and success will follow.

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