Being highly emotional towards something is a double-edged sword. On one hand, your passion propels you to perform and succeed. On the other, feeling too tethered to perform can drag you down, draining your energy and confidence. Here are some red flags to watch out for—and what to do about them.
You take criticism personally.
If you’ve found yourself feeling angry, insecure, or demoralized after getting tough feedback or a minor setback, it’s time to take a step back. Remember, criticism of your work or interest is not a criticism of you as a person.
You are always working on it.
Ask yourself: Am I overcompensating, working more hours in order to to be perfect in that thing? If so, try to shift your mindset to view rest, relaxation, and boundaries as necessary parts of your life—not just rewards.
Your mood swings very frequently.
You are very moody, suddenly getting angry or happy and immediately getting sad imagining something or the other. Next time this happens take deep breaths and calm yourself.
You’re a people-pleaser.
Do you put others’ needs ahead of your own? If your kindness and generosity leave you feeling depleted rather than gratified, reflect honestly on your behaviors. When are you left feeling underappreciated? When does resentment start to bubble up? Identifying your people-pleasing triggers will help you mitigate them.