Humans are emotional beings, and even though we should learn when, where, and how we should listen to our emotions (and when not to!), we are going to be guided by them. So how can you make it work for you?

First, here are two situations to help demonstrate.

1 You’re working a job you hate and desperately want a new one because you are frustrated, tired, and angry.

2 You want to create a business that allows you to work for yourself because you believe that it will make you happy and freer.

Which one is more compelling?

It may be different for everyone, but generally, the emotional response you are having currently will be more compelling than the hope of a future emotion.

What that means is, you’re more likely to take action to minimise the current discomfort or pain that you are feeling from the job you hate than you are to put in the work for a potential future outcome.

Perhaps your example isn’t quite as drastic as mine, but I have found this is the case in almost all aspects of my life. Think about those times where you’re trying to get out of bed because you know (or at least hope) that getting an early start on the morning will make you feel better. But then you think about how comfy you are in bed, and the thought of some potentially positive emotion outside of bed becomes even further away…

Change is not always easy, even in these little moments, so what can we do about it?

First of all, analyse! Whatever you’re feeling that makes you want to stay in the present moment is obviously something that you desire, and perhaps something you don’t get as much as you need. How can you emulate that comfort or relaxation or joy in the tasks that you are required to do? Or, if you can’t keep it going, how can you reorganise your life so you can spend more time doing the things you need to do?

A simple example for me is sleep, because I don’t sleep very well and thus struggle to get up in the mornings. I know I need to create better sleep habits, but I also need to plan my day better so I can get to bed on time and give myself a better opportunity to sleep.

Second, use the emotion! Obviously working a job you dislike is never a great experience, but how can you harness your anger and frustration and turn it into something productive?

I will always recommend art as the primary way to do this, but there are plenty of outlets! If you enjoy sports, take it out on the court or field, pour your energy into improving your skills and who knows what opportunities may arise! When my mother played tennis, she was able to meet dozens of doctors, lawyers, and businessmen that offered her jobs and opportunities because she caught their eye (after destroying them on the court, of course).

If art is your thing, let your emotions guide your work. Write about your frustration through your characters in a gut-wrenching scene, paint your rage out, sculpt your fears away, sew the most beautiful pieces you can picture while you rant to the wall. There are so many ways to let your emotions out, but if you’re an artist, make sure they are productive! Grow your skills, experiment with your craft, and find joy in it. Who knows where it might lead you!

Thirdly, don’t discount the future possibility! Let the frustration with the now and your hope for the future mingle into a streamlined goal. If you want to get away from the job you dislike, pour your anger into yourself and your passions, and you’ll already be moving towards the new future job you’ll love.

Lastly, don’t give up! Life is constantly changing, and so are we. Our goals will change hundreds of times in our lifetimes, and we will go through so many different stages of progress, change, and of course emotions. There is not necessarily a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ path to success in life, so do what you can, when you can. In my own life, it has looked like this: take a step, look around. Then you do that again, and again, and again, until you are where you want to be (spoiler: this never stops!).