6 Steps to Develop Emotional Intelligence

Unlike traditional intelligence, which is often measured through IQ tests, emotional intelligence encompasses a range of skills that can be cultivated over time. By enhancing these abilities, individuals can improve their interactions, make better decisions, and foster healthier relationships. These skills include:

1. Self Awareness

   Focus on your present emotions and delve into what has triggered them. Awareness is the foundation of understanding yourself as a person.

   TRY: noting your emotions down and the possible triggers that evoked them. Keep a running list to see if things match up during different episodes over several days.

   
   

2. Self Regulation

   Keeping calm helps you to remain focused and keep stress at bay. Regulation can be done using different techniques talked about in Understanding Emotional Regulation

   Acceptance and reflection are examples that can help maintain a healthy emotional state or bring stress levels down.

   
   

3. Motivation

   Creating personal goals or intentions can boost motivation, fostering a positive outlook when challenges arise. If setting big goals puts you off, write down small goals that are more achievable. "Try a new coffee order, go on a cinema date, but a new pair of jeans'. Goals do not have to be things you don't want to do. Any little win will increase motivation which in turn maintains levels of contentedness.

   
   

4. Empathy

   Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Practising empathy includes actively listening, seeing another's perspective, validating their feelings and practicing nonverbal communication to show understanding. With greater empathy comes stronger and deeper relationships.

   
   

5. Social Skills

   To collaborate effectively with others it is important to improve on communication skills. Practice conflict resolution and be clear and assertive with your speech. Slow down and think about what you want to say to convey confidence.

   
   

6. Continuous learning

   Books, courses, and videos where professionals speak about emotional intelligence are all useful materials that will improve your knowledge base on the topic. Your confidence levels will increase which evokes calmness, leaving you in a more relaxed state to deal with what is in front of you.