Last Updated on February 10, 2023 by Editors Desk
You can’t think objectively when you’re feeling an emotion. So how do you deal with emotions in order to be more rational? In this article, we will cover how emotional intelligence (EQ) and critical thinking work together to help you make better decisions. You might not realize it, but your ability to think critically and make well-reasoned decisions is heavily influenced by your level of emotional intelligence.
It doesn’t matter if you are a gregarious extrovert or an introverted savant–you will always be more capable of seeing things from the perspective of others if your EQ is high. In this article, we will explore why EQ matters and how cultivating it can help you think more rationally and constructively.
What is EQ?
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to identify and use emotions as a driver of behaviour. Being emotionally intelligent means being aware of your feelings, identifying how they affect you, and being able to identify the feelings of others. It means being able to control your emotions and, therefore, your actions. The foundation of all human interaction is emotion.
Emotions are a powerful force that drives people to make decisions and engage in behaviours. Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage, harness, and benefit from emotions. It’s about being aware of your emotions and the emotions of those around you in order to make better decisions.
How to Think With EQ & Critical Thinking
EQ is about being aware of your emotions and the emotions of those around you. Certain emotions, such as anger and frustration, can be useful in certain situations because they can help you get what you want. For example, anger may motivate someone to seek out information in order to make a more informed decision.
If you are feeling anxious because you have a big presentation coming up, your frustration with the situation can help you get through the experience more productively. It is only when you are feeling emotion without knowing why that you start making irrational decisions. It is then that critical thinking is needed in order to see the situation from a different perspective. In order to be more rational, we first have to recognize that we are feeling an emotion. There are many ways to do so.
Why Is EQ Important for Critical Thinking?
People with high EQ tend to be more empathetic, more interested in others, and better at identifying other people’s feelings and needs. People with high EQ are more likely to think of themselves as members of a larger community and are more likely to be aware of the feelings of other members of that community.
People with high EQ are also more likely to be aware of the feelings of other members of their family, work team, and community. When you are more emotionally aware, it becomes easier to see the perspectives of others and to better understand the feelings of other people. In other words, you are less likely to make assumptions and more likely to form informed constructive conclusions.
How To Incorporate EQ Into Your Daily Life
- Recognize Your Emotions – When you are feeling an emotion, be aware so that you can recognize what you are feeling and why you are feeling it. This will help you see the situation from a different perspective and see if there are other reasons for your feeling the way you are feeling instead of just assuming the way you are feeling is wrong.
- Control Your Emotions – You should never just jump from one emotion to another. Anger is not a good reason to do something. Sadness is not a good reason to do something. You need to make a decision first and then follow up with what you decide to do.
- Learn From Your Emotions – The best thing you can do to gain control of your emotions is to study them and understand what they mean. This can be done through journaling or through talking to someone you trust about what you are feeling.
- Practice Self-Compassion – The more you practice self-compassion, the more equipped you will be to control your emotions. Self-compassion is understanding where you are coming from and what is happening inside of you so that you don’t get stuck in a loop of negative thinking.
Conclusion
Emotional intelligence is one of the most important skills you can develop. EQ is about seeing things from the perspective of others. It is about understanding your emotions and controlling them so that you can make better decisions. EQ is something you can develop and strengthen throughout your life.
It doesn’t matter if you are an extrovert or an introvert, a born leader or someone who feels more comfortable in a more passive role. People with high EQ are more likely to be emotionally aware and better able to identify other people’s feelings and needs. With a little effort, you can increase your EQ and become a more rational thinker.
