Being a business owner for almost 10 years, I have learned a lot. I continued my education and got a degree in business which has been incredibly helpful. But if I had to choose which method has been most impactful in helping me run a successful business it would be developing the skill of emotional intelligence. I’ve always said that health and stress management are the keys to success in both my business and home. Life is never easy but with the right mind set and control over my response to the stress I encounter, I can keep running the marathon.
Emotional intelligence has been researched since the early 1990’s and has been proven to be an important indicator of life and career success.
Why is emotional intelligence so important for success in your career and life?
IQ has always been thought of as the top trait that meant you would be a high achiever, happy and successful. But did you know that Emotional intelligence or EQ is the single biggest predictor of performance in the workplace and the strongest driver of leadership and personal excellence?
Here are some fun facts:
· Research shows that 90% of high performers have a high EQ
· 20% of low performers have a low EQ
· For every point increase in EQ there is a $1,300 per year increase in salary
· Studies show students with higher levels of emotional intelligence had more self-efficacy (belief in one’s own ability), which allowed them to handle demanding curriculum better—creating higher academic success.
So now that you know how important Emotional Intelligence is to our success, let’s talk about some ways to improve emotional intelligence:
Self-Awareness is a major component of emotional intelligence, which contains the following areas:
1. Stress Management
Ways to manage stress include regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting proper sleep, yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy, and spa therapies such as facials, massage and aromatherapy.
2. Goal Setting
Try setting SMART goals for yourself to clarify ideas, focus and measure your efforts, and use time and resources effectively.
3. Time Management
Do a time audit of how you currently spend your time and use a master calendar to schedule in items on your to-do list. Meal planning and prepping on Sundays will free up time and lower stress during the week.
4. Self-Esteem
Ways to boost self-esteem include paying attention to self-talk; making sure to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, practicing regular self-care, and setting boundaries and saying “no” without guilt.
5. Continuous learning
Continuing to learn and having a mentor’s hand to hold throughout your life and career helps you continue to advance and solve problems effectively.
Sources:
MBS Direct: Leadership and Team Building
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