Conflict: Prepare, Practice, Present

I decided to research, practice, and  present the skill of managing emotions.  Emotions can be a cause of conflict or they can prolong prior conflicts.  It is important that we learn to manage our emotions so we can deal with situations more effectively.  According to a study done by the University of Colorado there are steps to managing emotions.  First, is to recognize your own emotions as well as the person you are working with.  If you realize what your own emotions are you will be able to manage them better.  Additionally, you can manage your emotions to work with the emotions of those around you. Next, find where the source of the emotion is. If it is a negative emotion and you find the source you may be able to work through and remove the emotion. Also, it is important to talk about your feelings. If you withold everything from those that you work with you will not be able to connect and become a team.  It is important to no let things bottle up inside so you don't blow up.  Express your feelings in a non-confrontational manner.  If you are genuine and sincere when expressing your emotions, people will be able to understand where you are coming from.  It is important to no be confrontational because people will feel threatened. Don't react emotionally to emotional outbreaks.

I practiced managing my emotions this week by expressing how I was feeling, taking others emotions into consideration, being quick to forgive, and not reacting to things in an emotional manner. Typically I don't express how I am feeling to others but this week I made an effort to do so.  By doing this I felt that I was able to communicate to those around me effectively.  For example, one of my roommates never does her dishes and I typically do them for her.  I felt that it was time for me to express to her that I was tired of doing her dishes and I would appreciate if she would start doing them.  She didn't realize that it bothered me so much and she started doing her own dishes.  I love the quote, "never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved," by President Monson.  I feel that we can accomplish this by taking other people's emotions into consideration when issues come up.  Sometimes people are going through things that we are not aware of.  Additionally, this past week whenever said something I took as offensive I was quick to let it go and forgive them.  People sometimes say things that they don't realize can be offensive.  To them it could be a joke and they don't intend for it to be mean.  It is important to not take things too personal.  For example, someone said something to me this week which I could have blown out of proportion but instead I forgave them. 

From this experience I learned how to communicate and effectively solve conflict with those around me.  Whether it be with family, roommates, or people in BYUSA it is important to manage your emotions to solve conflict.  I know that if I continue to do this I will be able to have a great year in the office and will not let emotions take control.  I also know that by understanding others emotions I will be able to get to know them on a more personal level and will be able to develop friendships that will last a lifetime.