4 - Is your passion stressing you out?

Passion can be stressful - but it is also powerful - something we look for in others that influences how likely we are to be convinced by their argument. Check out this clever study looking at how one small change in how someone gave a speech changed the way they were able to influence an audience.

Passion and frustration can be tools which God uses to help us meet our potential. For more about what God has to say about our potential check out this blog I wrote on the subject.

Meanwhile guilt is a fascinating emotion - and one that many people have written about. Guilt is powerful and manipulative (here’s a great explanation of why, including how it can be such a powerful driver of what psychologists call ‘avoidant behaviour’) and has the power to make us push ourselves very hard (guilt is the emotion which drives us to work the hardest - which is why it can lead to an increased risk of stress and burnout).  In fact guilt has even been demonstrated to affect your immune system.

So is guilt always a bad thing? Are you feeling guilty about a heap of things you haven’t got round to doing yet today? Here’s a more positive perspective on guilt, based on the function it was originally designed to have, from the Guardian’s ‘change your life’ column - ‘How to make the most of your guilt’ - learn how planning a guilt hour might make you a whole lot more productive.

Refuel: How to balance work, life, faith and church - without burning out by Kate Middleton is available in paperback, priced £9.99.