What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand your emotions, control your emotions, and express your emotions in a healthy way while respecting other people’s emotions. People who understand their emotions have a very strong relationship because they are able to make better decisions and handle stress more effectively.
Components of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence has 5 components, namely:
1. Self-Awareness
Learn to recognize your:
- Strengths and weaknesses.
- Personality and thoughts.
- Emotions and behaviour.
2. Self-Motivation
Motivate yourself under any circumstance. Is when you are able to drive your success and reach your goals without being forced by anything.
3. Self-Control
Managing your emotions will help you make the right choices calmly.
We can also structure it with the following points:
- Balance
- Calmness
- Willpower
- Determination
- Confidence
4. Empathy
Understand others’ feelings and care about their emotions.
5. Social Skills
Once you have managed all the components above, you will be able to socialize with people.
These five components build who you are, or your personality. They will also help you to understand different personalities while working with them.
Five Signs Of High Emotional Intelligence
1. Understand Your Emotions
If you can recognize what makes you happy, sad, or experience mixed emotions, it means you have high emotional intelligence, and that makes you have self-awareness. Self-awareness helps you make better choices under any situation.
2. Think Before Reacting
Being in people’s shoes and respecting their emotions shows that you have EI. People with high EI use a PAUSE system before they respond. They pause and think carefully before they respond calmly. This shows that they can control their own emotions.
3. Accept Criticism
We are always going to receive criticism and negative connotations in life, but when you have a high EI, you easily understand and accept the feedback. People with high EI listen to what is being said carefully, learn from it, and also try to improve because they see criticism as a chance to grow.
4. Empathy
You easily understand how other people feel; you can identify when someone is stressed without talking to them. That, on its own, shows that you have a high EI and you know how to be in other people’s shoes.
5. Conflict Resolution
High EI is a skill that everyone can learn because we are also going to have conflicts due to different ideas, values, perspectives, and opinions. When you have high EI, you listen to their opinion, respect them, and respond calmly. They care more about maintaining their peace, a safe environment, and happiness.
Recognize Your Emotions
Listen to what the emotions say because every emotion has a meaning.
You must learn to pause and name the emotions. This will help you to identify the emotion once you notice it.
Ask yourself:
- What am I feeling right now?
- Why am I feeling this way?
- What is happening to my body?
- What triggered these emotions?
Understand what Emotions tell you
You can name your emotions, such as
- I feel hurt.
- Nervous
- Excited.
- Emotional.
- Disappointed
- Sad or Angry
You may notice your signs of physical emotions, such as restlessness or tension before fully understanding what you are feeling.
Use a PAUSE System
When you feel emotional, pause before you respond and try this:
- Use a deep breath
- Walk around.
- Drink water
- Take a break
These simple practices will help you to calm down and cool your emotions and, most importantly, will help you to choose the right responses without affecting other people’s emotions.
Identify What Triggers the Emotions
Emotions have a cause, so identifying them will help you to understand what triggers them.
Ask yourself:
- Did it trigger the memory?
- Who was involved?
- What was said?
- What was done?
- Did you feel disrespected?
Why Understanding Your Emotions Matters
Your emotional influences:
- Your decisions
- Your thinking
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Relationship with others
When you do not understand your emotions, you become confused, and when you become aware of them, you are in charge of your emotions, which direct you to a healthy response.
Finally
Understanding your emotions is a lifetime skill that we all need. The more you practice self-reflection, the easier it becomes for you to control, manage, and communicate calmly. Every time you feel emotional, use a self-motivation affirmation quote to help you calm down.