There are a lot of ways to increase your emotional intelligence. Lately, the concept of emotional intelligence has become very popular, since this ability matters just as much as intellect. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, control and evaluate your own emotions, as well as the ability to understand the emotions of others, things that will allow you to manage them in a more productive and healthy way. It will help you build stronger relationships and overcome all kinds of challenges that you will encounter in your path. You can learn how to communicate more efficiently, how to empathize with others and it will help you achieve your goals and succeed at work. It actually consists of four attributes: self-awareness (the ability to recognize our own emotions), self-management (the ability to control impulsive feelings and behaviors), social awareness (the ability to understand the emotions, needs and concerns of others) and relationship management (the ability to maintain good relationships). By learning how to improve your emotional intelligence, you will be able to lead a happier life, since you will find it easier to relate to other people and you will also act more rationally and responsibly in all kinds of difficult situations. Since everyone has different aspects of their lives that they can improve, here are a few very efficient ways to raise your emotional intelligence, so you’ll be able to become a master at managing your emotions:
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1. Observe How You Feel
This is definitely one of the most efficient ways to raise your emotional intelligence! One of the easiest things you can do to increase your EQ (emotional intelligence coefficient) is to simply observe how you feel most of the time. Since nowadays we are all extremely busy, we tend to act sub-consciously and we don’t pay attention to the way our behavior make us feel. For example, you could set a timer for various points during a day and when the timer goes off, just take a few deep breaths and notice how you are feeling at that moment. Are you worried, stressed or do you feel calm and relaxed?
2. Develop Your Listening Skills
In order to improve your emotional intelligence, it’s essential to develop your listening skills. Just pay attention to the message that other person is trying to send you and also take into consideration the way that message is being delivered. Show genuine interest for what they are telling you and don’t let other things distract you! There are a lot of books you can read on this matter, so why not start now and see how many benefits this habit will bring you.
Listening isn't just about silence while the other person speaks, but also about actively engaging. Reflect back on what you've heard and ask clarifying questions. This shows that you’re not just hearing, but also processing and understanding the information shared. Also, notice non-verbal cues like body language and tone, as they are key components of communication. By improving your listening skills, you'll foster deeper connections and enhance your social interactions, making your relationships more fulfilling and your professional network stronger. Embrace the power of listening, and watch as your emotional savvy flourishes.
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3. Manage Your Stress Response
Another thing you should do in order to raise your emotional intelligence is to learn how to manage your stress response. You could start by identifying your stress triggers and by recognizing them for what they are. There are a lot of difficult situations you will encounter along the way, so don’t let them bring you down! Just learn some stress-reducing techniques and practice them regularly and I’m sure you’ll feel more calm and relaxed in no time.
4. Improve Nonverbal Communication
It’s extremely important to learn how to improve your nonverbal communication if your goal is to increase your emotional intelligence. Sometimes, it’s not enough to pay attention only to what a certain person is saying. You need to take into consideration how they are saying it too. Just make eye contact and pay attention to all those nonverbal cues like the tone of their voice, their facial expressions, their gestures, their posture and the pace of your conversation.
5. Be Empathetic
I know that sometimes this is easier said than done but with a bit of practice and with a lot of patience, you can learn how to put yourself in other person’s shoes. Even though you tend to be more preoccupied by the things that concern you, try to direct your interest towards other people as well. No matter how busy you are, always make time to listen to the ones around you and try to see life through their eyes.
6. Improve Your Social Skills
Learn how to talk and connect to others more easily if you want to learn how to raise your emotional intelligence. Be more humble, pay attention to other people’s needs and try to understand why they act the way they do on certain occasions. Be open, curious and don’t let yourself be influenced by all kinds of prejudices and stereotypes! Take the time to get to know other people better and help them manage their emotions too.
7. Practice Gratitude
Be grateful for everything that you have! You are such a lucky person just for being you! Try to appreciate all the wonderful things and all the talented people around you, because this will help you maintain a positive attitude. This way, you will focus more on the things that make you happy and that will motivate you to reach all your goals and fulfill all your dreams.
Since emotional intelligence is such an important aspect in our lives, in order to improve it, you need to be more empathetic, you need to take responsibility for your feelings and for your behavior and you should try to be more flexible! Do you know any tips on how to raise your emotional intelligence? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
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