Emotional Intelligence Key to Success Today
Emotional intelligence fuels your performance both in the workplace and in your personal life, however it starts with you. From confidence, empathy, and optimism to your social skills and self-control, understanding and managing emotions can accelerate success in all areas of your life.
It doesn't matter what field you specialize in, whether you control a team of 2 or 20 people, or even just yourself, realizing how good you are at controlling your own emotional power is a great starting point. Absence from emotional intelligence lessons is not something we are taught or tested, so where does it come from, what is it, do you have it and is it really that important?
Emotional Intelligence Definition
According Wikipedia, Emotional intelligence or EI is most often defined as the capability to know, use, manage, and get rid with emotions. So, it is known as the ability to identify and control your own emotions and express them in a way that is respectful and helpful to those around you. Emotional intelligence also includes the ability to understand the feelings of the people around you and respond with supportive and encouraging feedback.
Why Emotions Get a Bad Rap
We all recognize expectations at a young age about how feelings should be shared or not. Many of us are stuck in paradoxical situations. We were taught how to suppress our feelings from very identical ancestors who passed down our emotions to us. For example, many of us may have been told things like "Don't cry," or "There's no need to be sad." Girls who openly express their feelings are known as drama queens.
Boys who openly express their feelings can sometimes be called sissies. This advice often comes from a good place to try to soothe or guide a child. The shared social message, however, is that we should please others by trying to avoid our feelings, or at least keep them to ourselves.
Complexity arises when we become so correct in countering and expressing our thoughts that we lose access to the vital functions they serve. All emotions, even those that are unpleasant, serve a necessary purpose. Emotions are like a smartphone ringing with an important message trying to convey. They are signals of the things that we need to pay attention to in our lives.
Consider for a moment how avoiding your emotions could hinder your ability to connect with your own needs. Understanding this is the first step towards the willingness it takes to heed their message.
Emotional Intelligence Improvement Tips
EI can be developed and reinforced. You can try some of the techniques below.
Pay Attention to Emotions.
Pause. Watch out for high tensions that, based on the body-mind connection, can alert you to your current emotional state. Try observing and feeling how you feel at any given moment.
Reflect on the Emotions of People Around You.
This is where the "other self-consciousness" begins. To develop emotional intelligence, make assumptions about your personal emotions and how you typically react to dire situations, whether they include coworkers, family members, or strangers. When you're extra aware of your usual emotions and reactions, you can start to control them.
Respond as an alternative to reacting to conflict.
During conflict, emotional outbursts and angry emotions are common. Emotionally intelligent men or women know how to stay calm during stressful situations. They don't make impulsive decisions that could cause bigger problems. They recognize that in times of conflict the goal is resolution, and they make a conscious choice to focus on making sure that their movements and words align with that.
Practice how to keep a positive attitude.
Don't underestimate the strength of your attitude. Negative thought patterns easily infect other people if someone allows them. Emotionally intelligent people have an awareness of the moods around them and protect their attitudes accordingly. They understand what they need to do in order to have a good day and an optimistic outlook. This should include enjoying a delicious breakfast or lunch, doing prayer or meditation during the day or maintaining positive quotes at their desk or computer.
Remember – You Are Not Your Emotions
There are no "bad" emotions. Whatever you're feeling provides you with valuable information: either about a situation you're in, or about some event that happened in the past that you need to study and move on.
A common pitfall people experience is the feeling that they 'should' feel a certain way – that they are a 'bad person' because they feel that the thoughts they believe are wrong to express or even feel. If they are on a spiritual path, it could be even worse, as they may also feel they 'should' be above feeling that way.
Remember, how you reciprocate these feelings matters. No matter what emotion you're feeling, you still have a choice about how you act on it – and that's what matters. Assessing yourself does not make you a better person.
No comments:
Post a Comment