Thinking and Feeling

How do you know whether thinking or feelings are driving you? And what will you do as a result? This week's video breaks down motivations and next steps.

Today's question comes from Jay Emma who asks, "What is the difference between thinking and feeling - and how do you distinguish which of the two is really driving you?"

Very cool question, Jay. The relationship between what we think and feel is intense, immediate, and also incomplete. I'll explain that in a minute, but first let's look at each of their qualities.

Your thinking involves your cognitive functions, strategy, evaluation, measuring the pros and cons, so that you can make judgements, but also justifications, which, when you think about it, is really thinking reverse engineered. Feelings engage our intuition, or sensory experiences, are greatly impacted by our personal energy, driven by immediacy, and can range from very intense positive feelings, such as joy and excitement, to negative feelings, including fear and anger.

They're both critical. And they affect each other. Self directed, sloppy thinking can negatively impact your emotions. Thoughtful breakthroughs can feel fantastic. And feelings, undoubtedly drive your thoughts. So why is this incomplete?

Well, while thinking contributes a process, incorporates information (both true and untrue, which by the way both feel very similar), our experiences, good and bad, criticisms, and is, in and of itself, a skill. Thinking well isn't easy, and can become reflexive. Feelings inform us. They alert and guide us. They can confirm what we think and propel us further. Tuning into and using your feelings is really an ability you can hone your entire lifetime.

But the essential part that we're leaving out of this whole scenario is what you DO! Doing changes how you feel and what you think, and determines your relationship to the world, because nothing happens unless someone does something. Doing elevates our feelings, creates change, proves or disproves our thinking, provides satisfaction, and creates results!

And let's face it. If you wait until you think you're certain and feel ready, you may never even start. Wait until you think you're capable and feel motivated, and you'll never exercise. Wait until you're enlightened and inspired, and you may never create, experiment, improve, and discover your greatness.

Doing drives everything, and you likely already know what you could do to live a more purposeful fulfilling life. So get out of your head and out of your way. And when you do, you may think and feel far differently. Thanks Jay, keep those questions coming, my friends, and until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.