Emotional Intelligence

Its been a while since I wrote something here. Sometimes I do wonder, no one reads this page anyway. But its therapeutic to write!.

I thought of talking about something that was uncovered as part of extensive research on the human brain. That is on Emotional Intelligence. Research has shown that a high level of intelligence doesn't necessarily make a person successful in life. Daniel Goleman in his book - Emotional Intelligence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_intelligence talks about how emotions and being able to control and use them can make a person successful in social, work and family settings.

Some of the points that I found earth shattering are:

1. Our brain has parts that are millions of years old. The brain stem is the most basic part of our brain which controls our basic functions like digestion, breathing
2. The emotional part of the brain has the basic emotions like anger and fear that helped us survive in a chaotic environment. Anger gave us strength to fight, Fear helped us run away from danger.
3. Amygdala is a part of the brain that controls emotions.
4. The neocortex which has the more rational part of the brain is the youngest part of our brain. Its folded up as it developed very fast during the last 10,000 years. This part of the brain helps us process information and take rational decision.
   
5. However, the Amygdala has direct connections that can bypass the rational brain that makes us do things without thinking rationally.
6. Sometimes the Amygdala can give us the wrong signals and try to protect from non-existent dangers.
7. The Amygdala helps us be emotionally rich than any other species. This is what creates a bond between mother and child and helps in our development.
8. A non-functioning amygdala can create a human without emotions.
9. A HIGH IQ Alone doesn't ensure success in life. Most brilliant people have had little success in life and relationships.
   
10. Highest performers are people who can build networks of relationships.
11. People pick on your mood and the stronger personalities dominate a groups' mood.
12. Your feedback can be misinterpreted by the way you say it. Try and keep sarcasm, anger to a minimum when giving feedback if you want to get results.
13. 
    

Definition of Emotional Intelligence - (Salovey, in Daniel Goleman - Emotional Intelligence)

1. Knowing one's emotion - ability to understand how one feels.
2. Managing Emotions - Ability to control ones emotions.
3. Motivating oneself - Ability to increase your own motivation through your own efforts
4. Recognising Emotions of others - Ability to empathise with others.
5. Handling relationships.
   

To conclude
Emotions play an important part and the ability to control your emotions and being able to understand emotions of others will help you succeed in relationships and in life.

Thats it from me for now.