There are moments, I have to sit and take it all in. I have to remind myself, I deserve to be right where I am and I give myself permission to feel all the feels that come along with it! It is like I am saying to myself "Permission Granted."
I am always asked, "How has emotional intelligence (EQ) affected your life?" I must admit, I get all psyched when people ask me this. I could talk for hours about EQ! {giggle!}
From the time I was a little girl, I was maximizing my emotional intelligence and didn't even know it. As I walked, fumbled, and skipped through middle and high school, I used my EQ more than I realized. My childhood was emotionally chaotic, and my emotions were never at the forefront.
I wasn’t given permission to express my emotions. I didn’t realize until later in life that I didn’t need anyone's permission. Neither do you.
We have learned responses, however. This comes from our upbringing and how our role models (i.e., parents and guardians) were taught to handle their thoughts and emotions. Let's break this societal generational curse of how we process our emotions, label our emotions and importantly, how we regulate them. Permission granted.
(There are so many examples of this; just watch the news!)
But you may have also read or heard me say, "If you are paying attention, there is a lesson in everything." I learned my lessons growing up. And then, in my corporate life – about 10 years in, I stumbled, more like fell - HARD - upon emotional intelligence and said, "That's it!" Mind you, I have a psychology degree, and we never spoke about emotional intelligence. Why is that? That is another discussion.
Listen! Professionally, yes, EQ has helped me and others. Personally, with my parents (including my bonus parents!), I have been through 10 marriages and 8 divorces…yet, I have been happily married for 25 years. So…does maximizing your EQ give sustainable results – Yep! I paid attention to the lesson, and I have a sense of peace for myself and make choices and decisions to always have that energy. Permission granted.
Nicole F. Smith, M.Ed. sitting in chair pointing finger
Back to maximizing your EQ for professional reasons. Permission granted.
May I ask you a few questions? And be honest, do these questions resonate with you?
How many careers/roles have you seen come undone because someone let their emotions get the better of them, found it difficult to communicate, suffered social anxiety, was left crippled by their mood swings, or worse, still didn't realize their behavior was counter-productive? (Was this you?)
How many executives' corner-office dreams have come crashing down because their peer review showed a lack of empathy or over sensitivity to criticism, even if it was constructive?
How many high-performers have struggled with a work-life balance? (You?)
The underlying thread in all these examples is an inability to manage emotions.
So, back to the very first question at the beginning: How does EQ affect us?
Here you go!
Emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as influence those of others, can have a significant impact on our lives in many ways. Here are some examples:
Better relationships: People with high emotional intelligence tend to have better relationships, both personal and professional, because they are better at communicating their emotions, understanding the emotions of others, and resolving conflicts effectively.
Improved mental health: Emotional intelligence can help individuals recognize and manage their emotions healthily, which can improve mental health and reduce stress and anxiety.
More effective leadership: Leaders with high emotional intelligence can better motivate and inspire their teams, communicate effectively, and make decisions guided by logic and empathy.
Greater resilience: Emotional intelligence can help individuals recover from setbacks and challenges (hopefully in a more productive spot) efficiently by allowing them to stay focused, maintain a positive attitude, and adapt to change.
Increased empathy: Emotional intelligence can help individuals be more understanding and empathetic towards others, leading to better relationships and a more supportive and positive environment.
Decreased stress: Through continuous development of emotional intelligence, individuals can build a solid foundation for stress management, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.
Overall, maximizing our emotional intelligence can significantly impact our personal and professional lives, helping us be more successful, optimistic, and fulfilled - if we give ourselves permission to feel that impact. Permission granted.
Let's be Emotionally Brilliant (96.8% of the time!)🥴!
Just received my TOP LINKEDIN BADGE FOR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE!
(My 2nd - I received a TOP LINKEDIN LEADERSHIP BADGE AS WELL!)
How can I help you on your lifelong journey with instant impact? We are here to guide you, so what is stopping you from reaching out?
