Emotional intelligence is the ability to…

1. To recognise, understand and manage your emotions to get the desired outcome

2. To engage your emotions in the most beneficial ways to overcome stress and negative feelings

3. To communicate effectively by responding instead of reacting, to diffuse conflicts

4. To truly connect, understand and empathise with others

Emotional Intelligence helps you…

1. Build stronger and meaningful relationships

2. Helps you stay focused, be motivated and feel engaged in whatever you do

3. Helps you achieve your professional and personal goals

4. Turn intentions, hopes and dreams into actions

5. Make informed decisions about what matters most to you

Basically, helps you stop living life on autopilot. Makes you pause, reflect and live a life full of intended actions.

Emotions are developed as children

Emotions are developed as children, at an age when they heavily rely on others to survive and thrive. At an age when they do things to please, to be appreciated, to be rewarded and not be punished, and to be loved. But not always does a child receive the right reaction or the reaction it desires. This is when they develop certain ‘negative’ emotions,  protective reactions to avoid feeling the same pain again and again. Once these negative emotions are developed they stay with you for the rest of your life.

Negative emotions once developed

stay for life, unless modified.

Negative emotions sabotage efforts as an adult

As an adult and high functioning individual with maturity, one has various resources at their disposal to make decisions and choices. But yet when a challenging situation arises adults do not always act in their best interest. Instead  they may feel anger, fear, hate, self-conscious, scared, overwhelmed and even procrastinate exactly when they need to feel motivated, strong willed, composed and confident.

Update your emotions

To thrive in society, as an adult, you need to update these protective emotions to ones that will function as your ally in challenging situations. You need to develop the ability to engage the right emotion to achieve the desired outcome, every time. In short, learn to Respond instead of React.

We do not see things as they are,

we see things as we are.

Self Awareness

Is the ability to look inward and accurately recognise your emotions, understand why you feel the why you do and what is truly causing these feelings. You will have the ability to understand how your emotions are affecting your thoughts and actions. You will know your strengths and limitations, and grow confidence in your capabilities and draw boundaries when needed.

Relationship Management 

This part requires you to first understand yourself. Know your boundaries, needs and wants. Know how to effectively communicate them with confidence while being sensitive and sensible to another’s situation and needs.

It is the ability to ‘hear’ another’s point of view and find solutions together that work for both. Find joy in other people’s company and have fun.

Self Management

In a difficult situations, instead of becoming overwhelmed and losing control you will have the ability to stay emotionally calm, receive upsetting information without letting it override your thoughts and maintain composure. You’ll be able to control impulsive feelings and behaviours, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

A smart person knows what to say, a wise person knows whether to say it or not.

Social Awareness

You will be able to make others feel understood, heard and appreciated. You will pick up on emotional cues, respond to the moods appropriately and feel comfortable in social settings. You will know the wonderful balance of caring for others while finding ways that are mutually beneficial. 

.