Expressing Yourself How?
Posted By Robin Lynn Brooks on December 29, 2009
EXPRESS YOURSELF CREATIVELY
Some of you might not look much at personal development. For the next few minutes I want to talk about some great benefits of expressing yourself in a controlled or creative fashion. I know I don’t always myself. But this should be fun, I have a challenge to share and along with some questions I’ve ask myself!
Remember the last time you shared yourself in an “I’m all out there” kind of way? Maybe it was the time you wanted to let everyone in the room know exactly who you were and what you were thinking. If you take a minute & think about when it was, a few details about exactly what happened may come to mind… like who was there or how it ended…
You may be thinking about the last shouting match you had with somebody, or maybe a moment you let your teen in on how you were feeling…
I have learned that how I express myself affects relationship, reputation and respect from others. Of all the ways on earth to relate, there are some we don’t care to recall at all. A not so pretty exhibition while you’re “in the moment” can tarnish the like-ability factor you once had with a person. The other side of the coin is, a carefully controlled creative expression will surely benefit your image and position among everyone.
We are all wondrous creatures of emotion and there is no guarantee we will express ourselves appropriately when a moment gets the better of us. We try to gear ourselves toward carefully controlled, but how much control can we have over how we do express ourselves?
If you stop to consider that we are the ones in charge of our emotions and we own our thoughts and body, naturally we must have a say in our expressive response to a given situation. Simply said its true! But there is more to it than just simply controlling an emotion. If there is a method to achieve more self control it would have to include some insight for increasing your own awareness. There are preferred behaviors for sharing your passionate thoughts in an appropriate controlled display. Of course having said all of that, there are zillions of ways to express yourself in many different social arenas; there are many unwritten rules.
Are you the person you want to be when it comes down to communication or would you like to exercise more control over your expression? Consider including this into an area of your personal development training; if not for you, for someone you love.
The following questions are meant to help increase your awareness and open your spirit to be your best at expression:
Personal Development Excercise
- Identify your mood or emotion triggering the behavior; anxiety, anger, depression, fear, excitement or something else
- Link that emotion to the thought you have and ask yourself; what caused me to feel like this?
- What entered your mind?
- What do you see causing these thoughts?
- Identify if your reasons are truly valid for these thoughts
- Do others respond in this way?
- Is there another way someone could look at the situation?
- Take a moment to consider your response and truly ask yourself whether or not it was extreme
Be sure to use complete honesty when going through these steps. Practicing this as an exercise or a tool to gain awareness or perspective over your emotions can change things dramatically.
By choosing to respond with more consideration you will be respected as an expressive person who communicates in a beneficial way in important situations.
The real trick is to put yourself out there in a positive way! Think about all there is you are sharing; mentally, visually and verbally. With an extra bit of work many people have been able to express themselves into a talent or a profession. I am talking about artists like singers, dancers, painters, poets and other people like motivational gurus, athletes or runway models. So, look at the possible bonus of the exercise along with developing that passion or talent of yours, expressing it could one day make you famous!
There are many reasons we are not all communication experts. But there are many reasons to treat it as a skill to develop. We can make a choice to express ourselves in a particular manner without losing our own authenticity. Never keep things bottled up we all know that is not a good thing. Learn to express the passions you need to share in a controlled creative respected way which will define you and promote the better part of you.
Will you take a few notes on yourself and think about how you could use this to help yourselves or others?
Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment and feel free to share any part of this.
Enjoy Your Day!
Robin Lynn Brooks
About the author
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by nicklogantv and Jose H. Caraballo, Jan Hill. Jan Hill said: RT @RobinLynnBrooks Expressing Yourself http://bit.ly/8V7jZ3 [...]
Robin this is really great – I think we can all use this advice when communicating with others and it is definitely a skill that I am constantly working on!
Thanks for reading
Great information Robin. I want to re-read this again. This is the one area where i think I need the most work in my personal relationships. When I get upset it helps to follow the advice you give above. Sometimes that emotion you experience has nothing to do with the other party.
Keep these posts coming
.-= Nick Logan´s last blog ..Promote Yourself Here =-.
So true people share their emotions without regard so often. At least it has certainly been my experience and observation. Hope it helps or at least gets some people thinking…
Truly knowing yourself is one of the hardest things to learn. We never want to “go there”…the dark side. Yet it is our dark side that sheds the most light on who we really are. Your insights and tips on how to approach this are very valuable. Thank You!
.-= Don Enck´s last blog ..How to Connect and Build Genuine Relationships on Social Media. =-.
Thanks Don!
Wow, I love it!
Everyone I know can benefit from this message. We are such emotional creatures and finding a way to keep that controlled is extremely important. Too many relationships have been lost because of a small but totally unacceptable reaction.
Thanks for the insight!
.-= Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..Shameless Self Promotion…Here is Your Chance to Shine =-.
Ahhh yes Jose we ARE emotional creatures everyone of us I believe. We only have a different way of showing it!
Nice clarification of an elusive tpoic. ..Emotional Intelligence….Critical in a dental office,
I think it of as creating “teflon barrier” , so i can evaluate my feelings before I respond
Thanks
I appreciate your mentions here Dr. Arnold. It is especially critical in a business setting. In the past I have often reminded myself that it isn’t any ones business how I feel at every given moment. It has saved me sometimes and saved many a relationship. Sometimes it is simply a matter of time before we understand and can express in an intelligent fashion.
I love your phrase, “carefully controlled creative expression”! So true. We are the artists of our own life, so it’s important to take the time to think about the message we’re creating as we throw down the paint!
Thanks for sharing this, Robin!
.-= Beth Allen´s last blog ..Strategic Planning for Massive Results in 2010! =-.
Your wording is beautiful Beth. We are the artists! Love it!
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Caraballo12345: RT @RobinLynnBrooks Expressing Yourself http://bit.ly/8V7jZ3...
Wow! Talk about taking action!
Well done Robin.
.-= George Fourie´s last blog ..[Video] Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays To YOU! =-.
George I am honored you came to visit! Yes I am taking action, LOL!
Great post Robin! So much of getting self expression that “works” is as you said to be both creative and positive. A strong emotional intelligence is vital, as your questions show! Thanks for the great reminder that we can openly be ourselves by applying these vital points. Rock on gf!
.-= Kimberly Castleberry´s last blog ..Inspirational Moment: You Make Your Own Worth =-.
We’re a rockin’!!!
You have very good writing skills!
I wish you massive success during your new ventures!!
.-= Joanna Vaiou´s last blog ..9 Ways to Reduce Stress by Simplifying Your Style – By Brad Paul =-.
Joanna, from you that means a lot. You were my biggest inspiration <3
Such a great topic Robin! Emotional awareness can be challenging at times, but so beneficial to empower ourselves and communicate clearly. You go!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..What is so SUPER about Superfoods? =-.
Jennifer you know it! I love your blog!
Great Post Robin! Self-awareness is crucial to being able to properly manage ourselves in our personal lives and in our business. When those crazy emotions (like anger or fear) creep in they can really distract us from what we are supposed to be focusing on. I find that stopping, pausing, and centering myself again brings back the balance I am looking for. Being self-aware helps us learn from our emotions and create positive reactions instead of negative ones. Thanks for the share!
Krista
So welcome Krista. Look forward to knowing you better dear. I know you are working on wonderful things
Great post Robin!
It’s so important to be our authentic selves, but sometimes it takes work to really get in touch with who that person is. I for one was raised in a quiet, Irish family and learned to keep everything stuffed up inside. It’s taken me a very long time to recover from that conditioning but it’s been a journey well worth taking.
I’ve found it amazing that when I really go out on a limb and let people into my personal world I get tremendous response and validation, and often hear from others that I’ve touched their lives in some way. It’s a never ending process, this self reflection stuff, and a tremendous gift.
Love your writing style, and looking forward to really diving into your blog. Thanks!
.-= Kathy Jodrey´s last blog ..The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson – My #1 Recommendation for Creating the Competitive Edge that You Need to Succeed =-.
There are many families who taught the children to keep still to keep quiet. It is fine as long as there is a genuine understanding and constructive dialog to follow. It seems you have uncovered many blessings blessings by living the journey unfold in personal development.
We may never become communication experts per say, but understanding ourselves & consideration towards others is sure to bring happiness our way.
Excellent post, Robin!
~ Kylie ~
.-= Kylie Doak´s last blog ..Do You Make The Effort To Remember Names? =-.
Thanks Kylie!
I’ve been looking for this precise information on this subject for a long time.
This is my first time i visit here. I found lots of beneficial stuff in your blog site especially it’s discussion. From the tons of comments on your posts, I guess I’m not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up your good work.
Hey Robin,
This is a great topic! I teach social emotional development to 3-5 year olds, let me tell you I have learned a lot for that process. Your post has a lot of great content, and a good reminder to us all to self check our attitude.
Have an awesome day!
Rachel
Haha! Funny you mentioned working with 3-5 year olds!
I would love to discuss this work with you sometime, I find
people who give as such are especially rewarded… It is a
shame emotional development isn’t paid a ton of attention
too in educating children.