Do we know our emotions?

Do we know why we respond in one way or another to something that has happened to us, stimuli from the outside world or our inner world? Emotions are inevitable, we can’t really choose them but we can decide what to do with them: we can ignore them or live them and make the best of them.  

When we ignore our emotions and do not live them, unfortunately there is no learning. Let's say that in the school of life, the different emotions are all the subjects that we must live, to learn and continue growing and maturing. Thanks to these experienced and lived emotions we become more and more human, more aware of ourselves and others.

Ok great, and now what is next, once we perceive or recognize our emotions, what do we do with them? Then we have to understand, manage, handle and use them to guide our thinking and behavior and adjust them to adapt to environment. This is what Goleman calles “Emotional Intelligence”

The 5 dimensions of the Emotional Intelligence are:

• Self-awareness: recognition of our emotions and how they affect our thoughts and behaviors.

• Self-regulation: ability to control emotions and impulses, and adapt to changing circumstances.

  It is  known that people with a sufficient level of both self-awareness and self-regulation tend to be sincere and authentic.

  Motivation: driven by internal factors rather than by external rewards.

• Empathy: ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

• Relationship Management: use of previous skills to persuade and lead, negotiate and resolve disputes, for cooperation and teamwork.