Healthy Communities • Healthy Living
3 ways to grow your emotional intelligence and be happier
29 July 2019 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or EQ) touches every aspect of your life, including how you relate to yourself and others. So, it’s no surprise that boosting your EQ can improve the quality of your life and make you happier.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to use self-awareness, self-management, empathy and social awareness, and relationship management to reflect on your own emotions and the emotions of others. In YMCA Career Planning and Development Services, our counsellors provide EQ coaching to help people live more satisfying and rewarding lives. They can help you understand all the emotional competencies that make up EQ and how those competencies work together:
Here are 3 strategies you can start using today to become more emotionally intelligent:
Empathy is the ability to connect with others in a powerful and meaningful way; it’s about “putting yourself in another’s shoes” to feel with the person instead of for them. According to psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman, empathy includes cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and empathic concern. All three types are important for emotional intelligence.
Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, suggests that “seeking first to understand, then to be understood” is a good approach for building empathic connection. When you can put aside your own agenda and pre-judgments to truly be present with another, you’re increasing your capacity to be empathic and relate authentically with others.
Stress tolerance is another EQ competency. It’s about being able to positively cope during challenging situations: seeing the situation for what it is, remaining calm under the pressure, and reacting resourcefully.
You can increase your stress tolerance by:
Emotional awareness is a big part of self-awareness. It includes the ability to cue into your emotions and understand how they affect your actions.
To be an active observer of your own feelings and emotions:
Are you seeking more meaning and satisfaction in your life? Would you like to better understand yourself, your strengths, and areas for development? Learn more about our Career Planning & Development programs and how boosting your EQ can lead to greater personal happiness.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to use self-awareness, self-management, empathy and social awareness, and relationship management to reflect on your own emotions and the emotions of others. In YMCA Career Planning and Development Services, our counsellors provide EQ coaching to help people live more satisfying and rewarding lives. They can help you understand all the emotional competencies that make up EQ and how those competencies work together:
Here are 3 strategies you can start using today to become more emotionally intelligent:
- Practice empathy
Empathy is the ability to connect with others in a powerful and meaningful way; it’s about “putting yourself in another’s shoes” to feel with the person instead of for them. According to psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman, empathy includes cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and empathic concern. All three types are important for emotional intelligence.
Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, suggests that “seeking first to understand, then to be understood” is a good approach for building empathic connection. When you can put aside your own agenda and pre-judgments to truly be present with another, you’re increasing your capacity to be empathic and relate authentically with others.
- Remain calm under pressure
Stress tolerance is another EQ competency. It’s about being able to positively cope during challenging situations: seeing the situation for what it is, remaining calm under the pressure, and reacting resourcefully.
You can increase your stress tolerance by:
- Observing and creating “space” around your thoughts and emotions so they don’t hijack your ability to make good decisions
- Remaining optimistic and knowing that while the situation may not be in your control or favour, your chosen actions in the moment can still be positive
- Observe your own feelings and emotions
Emotional awareness is a big part of self-awareness. It includes the ability to cue into your emotions and understand how they affect your actions.
To be an active observer of your own feelings and emotions:
- Notice your thoughts and feelings throughout the day in a non-judgmental way: while in different conversations and situations, when you’re around different people, and on your own. This exercise can teach you a lot about yourself.
- Then, consider whether these thoughts and feelings are serving you positively, and if not, what kinds of changes you might like to make going forward.
Are you seeking more meaning and satisfaction in your life? Would you like to better understand yourself, your strengths, and areas for development? Learn more about our Career Planning & Development programs and how boosting your EQ can lead to greater personal happiness.
