When emotions are running high, and thinking is absent. Emotional Intelligence is essential for maintaining a healthy balance of life and all it offers.
"The ability to use, understand, manage, perceive, and handle emotions" is "emotional intelligence." Basically, can you handle whatever life throws at you, both emotionally and physically? Being able to take responsibility for your actions, having a conscience and dealing with situations maturely and responsibly.
Let me illustrate: What would you do in this situation?
If my boss is "pushing my mad button or triggering me" at work. Do I have enough self-awareness to understand that I am being provoked, and do I have enough regulation or management to address it and control my emotions before my immediate reaction impacts those around me?
Emotional Intelligence can make or break you!
Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist, developed a framework of five elements that define emotional intelligence in his book "Emotional Intelligence - Why It Can Matter More Than IQ" in 1995.
- Self-Awareness - People with high emotional intelligence are usually very aware of their own abilities. They are aware of their emotions and, as a result, do not allow them to control them. They are confident because they trust their intuition and do not allow their emotions to take over.
They are also willing to examine themselves objectively. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and work to improve in these areas. Many people consider self-awareness to be the most important aspect of emotional intelligence.
- Self-regulation is the ability to control one's emotions and impulses. People who self-regulate do not allow themselves to become overly angry or jealous, and they do not make rash or careless decisions. They deliberate before acting. Self-regulation characteristics include thoughtfulness, comfort with change, integrity, and the ability to say no.
- People with a high level of emotional intelligence are usually motivated. They are willing to postpone immediate results to achieve long-term success. They are extremely productive, enjoy a challenge, and are extremely effective at whatever they do.
- Empathy is the second most important aspect of emotional intelligence. Empathy is the ability to identify with and comprehend the desires, needs, and points of view of those around you. Empaths are skilled at recognizing the feelings of others, even when those feelings are not obvious. As a result, empathetic people are usually very good at relationship management, listening, and relating to others. They avoid stereotyping and quick judgment, and they live their lives in a very open, honest manner.
- Social Skills - People with good social skills are usually easy to talk to and like, which is another sign of high emotional intelligence. Team players are typically those with strong social skills. Rather than prioritizing their own success, they assist others in developing and shining. They are skilled at resolving conflicts, communicating effectively, and building and maintaining relationships.
To begin developing your emotional intelligence, start by recognizing your emotions and how they affect you. Observe how you behave when you are feeling happy and sad, angry, excited, tired, etc. Without judgment, simply watch yourself and record your thoughts and
behaviors. Pay attention to the things that trigger different emotions in you. Also, think about other people and what affects their emotions. Finally, notice how you feel when interacting with others and how that affects them. Start a journal where you can write down your feelings and experiences to help you become more self-aware.
Next, start learning about your emotions and how they affect your behavior. Here are some questions you can ask yourself: Why do I react so strongly to certain situations? Why do I feel like this? How do I respond to anger? Fear? Joy? Sadness? What are my emotional triggers? How can I control my reactions in these situations?
Take Home Message:
Learning about our emotions and how it makes us feel can help us to become more self-aware.