Comments on: “Keeping Emotions in Check” on NBC’s Today Show

By: David

David — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:50:11 +0000

Josh, while you have expertise in this area - of a technical nature - you also had the courage to bring in your personal experience. This really helped to demonstrate the very qualities you spoke about!

By: Aaron Cooper

Aaron Cooper — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:02:21 +0000

I love what you’re saying, Josh, about the value of appreciation. What I think it also did for you, nervous before going on live TV, was help you step outside yourself, a kind of meta-position, and just that gave you some distance from the nerves of the moment. But as you say, appreciation is a doorway to vitality. I have a chapter about gratitude (isn’t that another way of naming “appreciation”?) in my new book, “I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy: Why You Shouldn’t Say It, Why You Shouldn’t Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead.” I argue that parents are too focused on happiness as the most important thing, when it would be far better (for their kids’ long term happiness) if parents were focused on things like Gratitude (and I name seven others), teaching and stressing that, instead of saying “I just want you to be happy.”

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:57:01 +0000

Thanks Fiona & all!

On the phone someone asked me how I was able to be so calm. I was surprised because I did not feel “so calm” inside… lots of adrenalin! But I was definitely in a positive space. Something that helped was practicing appreciation. In the days and moments before the show, when I got nervous I started thinking what a gift it is to do this work - and to be able to share this with so many people - and if I could be an instrument to help someone that day how valuable it would be to be there, then…

This will be no surprise to most of you — it’s an incredibly powerful tool. Appreciation is the doorway to vitality.

Warmly,
- Josh

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:43:11 +0000

Hi Josh - Well done! I loved your infectious giggle and it made me giggle. You came across as sane and authentic. And it must have been hard to keep in touch with your authenticity with all the lights, cameras and action. did you notice the people outside the window behind you - Looked like a Free Tibet protest!!!

I’ve downloaded the clip to use in training.

fiona

By: Kendra

Kendra — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:56:14 +0000

Hi Josh- It has been so long since I have seen you! You did a fabulous job on Today. I keep posted on EQ news and continue to share the EQ model with teachers, administrators, students and parents. I have seen people gain personal awareness of their feelings and change their lives! Keep up all of the good work!

By: Jan Elise Sells

Jan Elise Sells — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:38:07 +0000

Hi Josh! It was wonderful seeing you on ‘live’ tv! Hank and I were impressed by your calm confidence! My response to the convention of asking “How are you?” I don’t think we should ask unless we really want to know, but assuming we care, I see it as a positive way of reaching out and connecting. If someone asks ME how I am, the honesty of my response depends on how much I feel the asker cares about me. I know who really cares (my friends and family) and who is just saying it out of convention. I choose my responses accordingly. It was good to read how YOU felt about your debut on live tv because I care about YOU! Bravo for a job WELL DONE! If you’re on more often, we may just have to start watching tv! Meanwhile, I hope we’ll see you soon LIVE!
Warm love, Jan

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:26:10 +0000

Thanks Tessy & all!

That “sometimes you just have to say it…” was such a nice setup! This is really at the heart of “Choose Yourself”: We have a choice!!!

-J

By: Tessy

Tessy — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:42:13 +0000

What a star Josh! I liked how well you challenged the interviewer’s ‘we can’t help what we say sometimes’ approach with such tact and excitement. And also the bit about emotions, once identified, can subside more easily, was really well explained….

OK - so I watched it 4 times….

Really excellent. I may take this clip into the classroom.

By: Erin Yoshimura

Erin Yoshimura — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:31:58 +0000

Josh, going on national TV for the first time is like jumping into the ocean to learn how to swim. You did a great job and you didn’t look nervous. That’s quite an accomplishment!

I suggest the next time you get interviewed (and you will) is to create a simple EQ assessment ahead of time on the website that you can direct the audience to during your interview or something like that to get them to the website.

Great job and thanks for sharing your experience with us…
-Erin

By: Demol

Demol — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:15:49 +0000

Wow Josh,
I felt impressed by the way you explained in a very limited time what it is all about! It really makes me feel even more inspired.
Thanks. Lieve