Why this skill step matters in education
In education you will be learning from and with many different people. Just like you, all of these people will experience different emotions depending on what is going on for them at any given moment. Sometimes they will be feeling positive emotions, sometimes they will be feeling negative emotions. Being able to tell how they might be feeling – by listening to what they say, looking at their body language or spotting how they look or how they are behaving is important. It is also worth remembering that it is likely that others will be able to tell whether you feel positive or negative too. Being able to talk about our feelings is important in education so that any emotions that might potentially get in the way of our learning can be tackled in a positive way.
Why this skill step matters in the workplace
During a working day or week, the colleagues, managers, customers or clients you may work with, like you, are likely to experience a range of emotions. Some positive, some negative. Being able to recognise how someone else is feeling can make it much easier to work with them. Seeing someone else who is upset and anxious for example can in itself be upsetting. Knowing someone else is angry can be unsettling. Seeing someone else who is motivated and cheerful at work can be inspiring if we perhaps ourselves at that moment are not feeling quite so positive. If we can look for clues as to how others might be feeling, we can try to interact with them in a way that is helpful.That way everyone can get their work done efficiently. Having someone to talk to at work – a friendly colleague or supportive line manager is important so that any situations that are causing negative emotions can be dealt with effectively.
Why this skill step matters in the wider world
Everyone, no matter their age or stage in life or wherever they maybe in the world, may experience a wide range of emotions. Emotions are what make us human. Sometimes we feel positive emotions such as joy, happiness,and excitement. Sometimes we experience negative emotions such as anger, fear and sadness. Being able to recognise these feelings in other people can help us to understand their behaviours, as well as our own. It is essential to remember that not everyone will react in the same way to the same events. Not all emotions that people feel are linked to what is happening there and then. Being able to understand how others are feeling can help us build positive relationships. It is always best to be respectful of people’s feelings and their mental health.
How to practise this skill step
To best practise this step of Staying Positive, apply what you have learnt to a real-life situation. Choose one or more of the activities below, remind yourself of the key points and strategies in the step, and have a go!
- Choose a character from a book you have read or a film you have watched. Ask yourself: when did the character feel positive? How did you know? What did they say or do? How about when they felt negative feelings? What caused them to feel that way? Think about how you would feel in that situation – how might you react?
- Describe by drawing, or through writing or music what negative and positive emotions can feel like.
- Listen to the words of different songs – what are the lyrics? What is the ‘mood’ of the song? How do you think the songwriter might have felt when they created the song?
