Beyond IQ: Emotional Intelligence

Emotions are connected to thinking. You are feeling an emotion at every point in time throughout your life. Of course, emotions such as “rage” will get our attention quicker than emotions such as “contentment,” but it’s important to acknowledge emotions are always there. That’s why learning to recognize and handle them can make a big difference regarding the quality of our life. When we work on improving in this area, we are working on what is known as emotional intelligence.

EQ “Test” Questions:

  1. Do your feelings lead to actions that disrupt your relationships on a frequent basis?

  2. Can you adapt to change?

  3. Do your feelings interfere with your ideal self and cause you to hide (debilitating stage fright or avoidance of conflict would be an example of this)?

  4. Do you use intuition or do you ignore your gut?

  5. Can you name a wide range of feelings? Can you identify when they take place in you?


People with high emotional intelligence understand themselves and their emotions. They understand how their emotions impact them, they know how to express emotions in a beneficial way, and they use their emotions to make better decisions. This leads to more easily understanding others, and this equates to “people skills” and better decision making.


Suggestions for boosting EQ:

  • Journal. Notice your feelings for a day (track them by the hour). Avoid labeling feelings “good” or “bad.” Simply notice what is pleasant and unpleasant. 

  • Learn about meditation, mindfulness, or simply breathing/counting/waiting. Put space between a strong emotion and any action.

  • Learn to question your first reactions and first labels. Could what you called anger actually be sadness? Is jealousy actually disappointment? Vice versa?

  • Seek out good role models for emotional intelligence. Do they have any tips for you? What can you learn from them?

  • Read. Seek out art. Watch quality films. Go to museums. See the variety of emotions inherent to the human experience “in action.” What are your reactions? What do you like and why?


Go Deeper:

Video to explore this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9h8fG1DKhA





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