Master your emotions (in times of stress and uncertainty)

“Event has no meaning, except the meaning you attach to it”, “Does life happen to you or for you?”, said Coach Hank in the “Master your emotions” online workshop.

“Master your emotions (in times of stress and uncertainty)” is an online workshop organized by the Community Service Committee of the Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar campus) on the 10^th of April 2021 via Zoom. The workshop began at 2p.m. with a warm welcoming message by the host, Mr. Abel Lee Cheng Ian followed by UTAR’s corporate video presentation. Mr. Abel then introduced Coach Hank, the trainer of the workshop who was also assisted by Coach Cindy and Coach Lynn in the sessions. Coach Hank, who is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) trainer, is also the founder and CEO of HankCoach International (M) Sdn. Bhd., an organization dedicated to empowering individuals and corporate leaders to create success in all areas of their lives. A total of 84 participants who comprised of 13 UTAR staff, 65 UTAR students and six members of the public joined the workshop.

The objective of the workshop was to address the concerns of personal emotional management during unprecedented times such as the current Covid-19 pandemic. Through the 90-minutes workshop, the participants learnt how to maintain a good state of mind regardless of their external circumstances. They were exposed to the trifecta of emotions i.e., meaning/words, focus and body, the art of cognitive reframing and priming. The participants were also taught to be more conscious of the choices they make in life, and to respond rather than react to life circumstances.

In the post-training reflection, Coach Hank reminded the participants that being thankful is the antidote to fear, and to maintain a beautiful state is a choice. Expectations should be replaced with appreciation. With their eyes closed, the participants were later asked to inhale and exhale as they feel their heartbeats. They were asked to recall one positive moment (happy/proud/loved) they once felt, and to visualize that the positive emotions were being replenished into their hearts. At the end of the exercise, Coach Hank further explained that commitment is essential in maintaining a beautiful state.

Before the workshop ended, Coach Hank answered some of the questions from the participants. In closing, Mr. Abel thanked Coach Hank for sharing his valuable insights. A group photo was then taken to commemorate the successful closing of the online workshop.

Coach Hank explaining on the trifecta of emotions.

The concept of “Cognitive Reframing” was being explained to the participants.

Coach Hank and Coach Lynn using Aikido (a Japanese self-defense and martial art) to illustrate on the method to handle a victim’s mentality during the Q&A session.

Group photo taking with the host, coaches, and participants.