In a substantive perception, we have two minds - one that thinks and one that feels. Just like our Intelligence Quotient (IQ), we have something called Emotional Quotient (EQ). EQ is as equally important as our IQ. Simply defined, it is "the ability to recognize, assess, and control emotions of oneself, of others, and groups".
We often see people struggling with stress and are unable to hold their emotions together. Sometimes, it's not the smartest people who are more successful in their careers. IQ may help us get into a college or a workplace but it's EQ that will help us maneuver through different kinds of scenarios like taking up an exam. If our success is one monumental structure standing up in the air, then it's our emotional wit that serves as the concrete to it.
The adage “Emotions can get in the way or get you on the way” is something we must keep in mind. Out of the blue, we may feel anger, shout, get stressed, create unnecessary panic. But at times it is the same emotions that give us a spark of hope, helping us surpass obstacles. It is like the angel being the devil itself.
Labelling our emotions is quite a herculean task. We may know how we perceive things, but to know whether an approach is necessary or not is always a challenge. "We are dangerous when we aren't conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel," says Marshall Rosenberg, an American psychologist. Do you ever snap at someone and regret it much later when you are calm? We must recognize our emotions and deal with them considerately. The human heart is fragile and so is the mind. We try to portray ourselves as strong, but there are times we fall apart and wonder what might be the reason behind it. We are in a constant quandary of picking between logic and emotion. However, our decisions are somehow linked to our emotional wit. We might be thinking with our IQ but it is the EQ that guides us through it all.
Emotions are important aspects that tell us about ourselves and others, but confronting stress takes us out of our comfort zones. When we manage stress and stay emotionally intact, we learn to receive perturbations without letting it override our thoughts and composure. We will be able to make choices that allow us to control our impulsive feelings and behaviours, manage our emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Remember, no matter how the situation prevails, you can always choose how you react to it. It's all in your hands to bring about a change!
