Emotional Intelligence is an essential skill to master. Inspired by Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry,

EQ ( emotional quotient) is similar to IQ. Where IQ measures a a person's intelligence quotient EQ measures a person's ability to control their emotions. EQ is not just a people skill, it is a life skill. Like any skill it requires practice. It is human to feel emotions, yet as humans we have the ability to choose our reaction to an emotion. Granted for some personalities this skill is tougher to master than others. It is still possible, and necessary.

EQ is a necessary skill to master, because it allows it's possessor to maintain balance. It's uncomfortable to be around a person who lacks emotional control. People with higher levels of EQ attract and maintain better relationships because people can sense that it's safe to be themselves around them.

Yet EQ isn't only about being likeable. It's about being stable despite what's going on around or even inside us. It's human to get angry. In fact anger can be a powerful emotion. Many wonderful changes in our world were sparked by a righteous anger. The emotion itself is neither good nor bad. It's the human reaction to the emotion that dictates the outcome.

(Image source) http://looneytunes.wikia.com

Anger isn't the only emotion that can lead to poor decisions. Many poor choices have been made due to emotional highs . How many goals were missed due to a bad choice made while under the spell of a good feeling. The point is that emotions are neither good nor bad. They are just part of being human. The important thing to remember is that just because we feel a certain way, it doesn't mean we have to act on that feeling.

Who hasn't heard the warning, "never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach". It's a simple advice. If your hungry while grocery shopping, you are more likely to make unnecessary purchases. Well similar to feeling hungry, if you find yourself on an emotional spike, make it a point to avoid important decisions. Usually taking a step back from a situation and allowing your emotions to settle will allow for clearer more focused decision making. Decisions made during emotional spikes can be difficult to undo, and most of the time you only need a little time for the emotion to level out.

Usually emotions are short lived. They come and they go. Yet sometimes there reoccurring emotions. These emotions tend to come back despite our efforts to tame them. When it comes to these emotions there is usually a root cause somewhere in our mind. A memory of a past event or person that triggers an emotion whenever something reminds us of it. Many times we are unaware that this is the reason. We only notice how we feel and react.

When there's a reoccurring emotion it's important to take a few minutes and reflect on why we are feeling the way we are feel. Asking oneself why we feel this way is important. We have to dig past the initial reaction of blaming someone else for how we feel and try to uncover why we are tempted to feel that way. The simple fact is that a human being is unable to force someone into an emotion, unless that person chooses to accept it. With a little self reflection and or meditation we can uncover the root causes of certain emotions. Knowing the causes can help us master our response to it.

I started of this post by calling EQ a skill. Unlike IQ, EQ can be improved with practise. Like any skill it becomes easier and habitual with practise, or harder due to do with lack of practise. The idea of EQ goes against our popular culture. Our movies and shows are full of characters and personalities that exhibit no emotional control. In fact most of their decisions seem to be guided by their emotions. Yet in today's world we can't afford this luxury, a poor emotional decision can be costly and irreversible.

No matter what your personality, you have the ability to grow you EQ. EQ is growing increasingly rare in today's societies. Yet the need for it had never been greater. As more and more baby boomers retire from their leadership positions. The void for leaders is growing and along with it grows great opportunity. Yet these positions require people with strong high levels of EQ. The how to can be taught, yet the ability to make quality decisions in any circumstance requires mastery. That mastery will prove to be a blessing not only in our lives, but in the lives of those around us.

Thank you for sharing these concepts with me. If you enjoyed it feel free to upvote and resteem this post. If you want to learn more about EQ I invite you to read the book that inspired this post: **Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry. If you prefer an audio version audible.com has a great version you might be able to get for free. Here's the link:
http://a.co/3ZuDahJ

Image source is audible.com

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I hope you found value in it. I wish you much success in your endeavors.
God Bless :)