Your "Emotional Success" Fingerprint
Published April 2009
The human mind has many varied forms of expression. But perhaps the least understood of these are the concepts of "feelings" and "emotions".
For example: Although it's easy enough to recognize when you're feeling something - it's far less clear just what a "feeling" really is.
According to Webster's Dictionary, a feeling is "a partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion." But note that this says nothing about how you respond to that feeling!
The reason our emotional responses vary so much is that our emotions are actually learned responses.
For example: No man comes into life automatically feeling rage if someone notices he has an unusually large nose. His anger may date back to when he first entered school at age seven -- and was teased beyond his capacity to endure!
Perhaps he was small for his age as a 7-year old. And although he had "feelings" of pain and rage - his safest emotional expression was to appear indifferent. As an adult, this could evolve into an emotion of "biting sarcasm" toward anyone seen as a potential emotional threat!
So you can see - it's in the learned responses to our feelings that people differ.
How Emotions Impact Your Success
Most of today's success mentors insist that your "emotional intelligence" (EQ) is a better predictor of your success and happiness in life than your "rational intelligence" (IQ.)
We've all known really bright folks who don't come close to living up to their potential. This is not to make them wrong! They just don't have an emotional commitment to achieving their true potential.
But how many "emotionally passionate" people do you know who aren't stretching out to achieve their true potential?
"So what do I really mean by passion?" you ask.
In terms of life success and happiness -- passion is an *intense* emotion (high EQ) directed at achieving something that is either wanted, or unwanted. For example: A passionate desire to "escape" unwanted poverty -- or a passionate desire to attain" wanted financial independence.
Note that the goal to "escape" poverty and the goal to "attain" financial independence are directed toward the same end result.
But are they truly the same?
A Scientific Version of the "Law of Attraction"
Both neuroscientists and behavioral scientists have clearly demonstrated that when you have a strong emotion toward something - you physically strengthen your brain's neural pathways dedicated to that "something".
This is likely the neurological basis for what metaphysical writers have for ages called "The Law of Attraction".
The modern scientific version of this ancient law may be stated: You "attract" what you intensely focus your emotion on - as in doing so, you build strong neural networks directly related to your focus.
Here's a sample scenario: Suppose you're buying a Ford Pinto automobile. You select what you feel is the most exciting and unique color for the Pinto - deep red. But when you hit the road with your new red Pinto automobile, you suddenly see one after another of the exact same model and color.
You'd never before noticed that red is such a common color for the Ford Pinto!
What happened is that your new red Pinto has created a dynamic neural awareness. Your neurons have been sensitized to notice similar cars because of your excitement (intense EQ) about your new red Pinto!
Did you "attract" these red cars?
Most likely not! But you're now certainly aware of their existence. Likewise if you have an intense desire to manifest a goal - you are more apt to become aware of people and opportunities related to that goal.
The Power of Positive Emotions
Back to our comparison of the goal to "escape" poverty - vs the goal to "attain" financial independence.
Although both goals aim for the same end result - they deal with quite different emotions. The desire to escape poverty is fueled by fear, while the desire to attain financial freedom is fueled by positive desire and attraction.
While both could possibly take you to the same end goal - the "Law of Attraction" predicts quite a different experience while moving along the path leading toward your goal.
What you focus intense emotion (passion) on will "attract your attention" to more of the same.
Build neural pathways based on doubt and fear, and you sensitize your brain to recognize and warn you of anything related to your doubt and fear. Build neural pathways based on positive emotions, and you will sensitize your brain to recognize opportunities related to your positive expectations.
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