4 Hacks To Improve Emotional Intelligence

By Kanyi M

Elon Musk, Jack Welch, Richard Branson, Oprah, and many other hugely successful people all have one thing in common: emotional intelligence. It’s the capacity to be aware, in control, and express one’s emotions. It’s having the proper social skills that allow you to relate to others and communicate effectively. And, it’s a skill set that anyone can improve, and we have 4 hacks to help you do just that.

Practice Mindfulness

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Mindfulness is focused and intentional awareness in the present moment. The more present you are in the moment, the more aware you are of your emotions and have more of an ability to control them. Mindful people don’t allow their emotions to cloud their judgement, helping them make better decisions in the end. They also feel fewer negative emotions and live happier lives, which is actually scientifically proven.

Practice Perspective Taking

The next time someone says something that upsets or insults you, take another person’s perspective into account. Ask yourself, “What would this other person think if they were in my shoes?” Use this approach whenever someone makes light of a situation or makes unnecessary remarks. It can help you stay less vulnerable and open to criticism.

Practice Emotional Accounting

Track your emotions. Keep a journal and write down how you’re feeling each day. After a few weeks, this simple activity will give you valuable insight into how you feel on any given day and how you’ve grown. We are more aware of our feelings when we write them down because we literally have to deal with them.

Practice Effective Communication

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When communicating with others, be careful not to be overly emotional or enthusiastic. It can come across as insincere and manipulative if you don’t practice effective communication techniques. When speaking, try to communicate in short sentences and present only one main idea at a time. As you speak, practice expressing the most important ideas first. Be direct and to the point. Practice speaking alone, with a friend, or loved one if you are uncomfortable speaking in public or with others,