Managing Emotions During Career Change and Job Search, Part Two

By Cheryl Lynch Simpson
Posted Thursday, February 24, 2005

Half the battle in successfully managing your emotions during a job search or career change process is in recognizing and naming what you’re feeling. Most of us could barely brainstorm a dozen or so emotions, yet many, many more exist.

As you begin naming what you’re feeling, this list of emotions, each arrayed within a cluster of similar but different emotions, will help you expand your awareness of the depth and breadth of all that you feel in the course of any given day:

Happy:

* buoyant
* festive
* playful
* brisk
* generous
* pleased
* calm
* glad
* relaxed
* carefree
* grateful
* restful
* cheerful
* hilarious
* satisfied
* comfortable
* inspired
* serene
* complacent
* jolly
* surprised
* contented
* joyous
* sparkling
* ecstatic
* jubilant
* spirited
* elated
* lighthearted
* thrilled
* enthusiastic
* merry
* vivacious
* excited
* optimistic
* exhilarated
* peaceful

Eager:

* anxious
* earnest
* keen
* ardent
* enthusiastic
* proud
* avid
* excited
* zealous
* desirous
* intent

Doubtful:

* defeated
* hopeless
* skeptical
* dubious
* indecisive
* suspicious
* evasive
* perplexed
* unbelieving
* distrustful
* pessimistic
* uncertain
* helpless
* powerless
* wavering
* hesitant
* questioning

Physical:

* alive
* paralyzed
* tense
* breathless
* repulsed
* tired
* empty
* sluggish
* uptight
* feisty
* stretched
* weak
* hollow
* strong
* weary
* immobilized
* sweaty
* nauseated
* taut

Sad:

* ashamed
* dull
* quiet
* blah
* embarrassed
* somber
* choked up
* gloomy
* sorrowful
* compassionate
* heavy
* hearted
* sulky
* concerned
* ill
* at ease
* sullen
* disappointed
* in the dumps
* sympathetic
* discontented
* low
* shameful
* discouraged
* melancholy
* unhappy
* dismal
* moody
* useless
* dreadful
* mournful
* worthless
* dreary
* out of sorts

Hurt:

* aching
* heartbroken
* pathetic
* afflicted
* injured
* suffering
* cold
* isolated
* tortured
* crushed
* lonely
* worried
* despair
* offended
* distressed
* pained

Affectionate:

* aggressive
* loving
* tender
* appealing
* passionate
* warm
* seductive
* close
* sexy

Afraid:

* alarmed
* fidgety
* pressured
* anxious
* frightened
* shaky
* appalled
* gutless
* shocked
* apprehensive
* hesitant
* scared
* awed
* horrified
* suspicious
* cautious
* hysterical
* terrified
* cowardly
* impatient
* threatened
* dependent
* insecure
* timid
* dismayed
* nervous
* tragic
* doubtful
* panicky
* worried
* fearful
* petrified

Angry:

* annoyed
* frustrated
* offended
* awkward
* fuming
* provoked
* belligerent
* furious
* resentful
* bewildered
* grumpy
* stubborn
* bitter
* indignant
* sulky
* boiling
* infuriated
* sullen
* confused
* inflamed
* wrathful
* cross
* irate
* enraged
* irritated

Fearless:

* bold
* determined
* loyal
* brave
* encouraged
* proud
* confident
* hardy
* reassured
* courageous
* impulsive
* secure
* daring
* independent

Interested:

* absorbed
* engrossed
* intrigued
* concerned
* excited
* curious
* fascinated

Miscellaneous:

* bored
* envious
* mixed-up
* cruel
* humble
* preoccupied
* distant
* jealous

Print this list and try reviewing one or more times daily to expand your awareness of what you're feeling and build your emotional vocabulary. The more you know about your own feelings, the more equipped you will be to deal with them safely and appropriately throughout your career.

About the Author
Cheryl Lynch Simpson is a Spiritual Director and Solutions Coach who helps women discover and create the life they've always wanted to live. Cheryl is the author of over 30 print/Internet articles and the founder of Coaching Solutions For Women, a coaching website that produces and showcases career, business, and life solutions that improve the life balance of today's busy women. For a complimentary copy of her latest e-book, Ten-Minute Stress Zappers for Women Service Business Owners, visit (http://www.coachingsolutionsforwomen.com).