Low self-esteem in espionage

After completing that contract, I was floored by how many things CIA does well (and not so well) to support mental health in its officers. [Image](https://) Greetings Everyday Spy, I accepted a private intel contract I never thought I’d see… Not because the client is big, famous, or well-known, but because I never looked at spying through the lens of mental health self-care. After completing that contract, I was floored by how many things CIA does well (and not so well) to support mental health in its officers. In the field, mental health is always a priority - we treat it as a core element in any operation. But that doesn’t mean we prioritize it first. In fact, we often poach time and resources from our mental wellness routines first in order to ensure intel, security, and awareness resources are fully staffed. It’s the ultimate example of robbing Peter to pay Paul, right!?! [I shared a story with you about a good friend and FBI negotiator who suffered a terrible loss in the field.]( Her loss and others like it are a massive drain on mental resources, and the discipline and focus needed to cope with the grief can sometimes feel unbearable. Every year CIA etches new stars on the memorial wall - honoring the undercover heroes who died in the line of duty. There are over 130 stories that can never be told, heard, or shared – that puts an incredible burden on the families of the fallen, those still serving in the field, and the thousands that walk past the same wall every day at CIA headquarters in Langley, VA. CIA trains us to offset our mental health drain by recognizing and respecting our emotions. It’s a technique sometimes known as, ‘name it to tame it.’ When you have a feeling, tell someone - your spouse, your peer, your mailman - it really doesn’t matter. But say the words out loud and name your strongest emotion. “I feel sad right now,” or “I am really angry,” or “I feel locked in fear,” are all examples of naming the emotions that can lead to mental health issues if left unchecked. When you identify a dominant emotion and acknowledge that feeling by saying it out loud, you reduce its power over you. Yes, I know it sounds like hippie kum-ba-ya campfire peace-pipe crap to some of you, but that doesn’t change the science behind it. Researchers have found that labeling an emotional feeling out loud has two powerful side effects: - It deactivates the emotional center of your brain (the amygdala). - It activates the logical and rational part of your brain (the prefrontal cortex). So with one short sentence like, “I feel guilty about not calling my mom today,” you can ‘turn off’ your brain's ability to dwell on the emotion (amygdala) and ‘turn-on’ the part of your brain that processes emotions quickly (prefrontal cortex). That's like mental magic to anyone who suffers from emotional highs and lows! Right now, I feel happy and confident, and I’m telling you about it, so my brain can process the emotions effectively. I feel like I’m sharing powerful info with you that you are going to use to do something awesome today. Whether you do or not is up to you, but telling you how I feel frees me from a potential mental health rollercoaster. I hope you do the same thing. Because your emotions have a place… And that place is not in the middle of your op to dominate today. Godspeed, #EverydaySpy P.S. - Your life of adventure, meaning, and purpose is one click away. [The Private Intel Pipeline is the most direct, simple, and easy route to a high-paying elite private intel career. Click here to start your new life.]( Follow @EverydaySpy on Social Media! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Andrew Bustamante, Founder of EverydaySpy.com, is a former covert CIA Intelligence officer, decorated US Air Force Combat Veteran, and respected Fortune 500 senior advisor. Learn more from Andrew on his Podcast (The Everyday Espionage Podcast) and by following @EverydaySpy on your favorite social media platform. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Don't want to receive these emails anymore? [Unsubscribe]( EverydaySpy, 411 Walnut St. #20309, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043