Balance and Priority Management

You will find that it is difficult to balance the many, and often competing, aspects of your life when you are in college. Finding balance goes beyond taking care of obligations—it extends to your mental and physical health, which relates directly to wellness, a topic we’ll discuss later in this book. Using healthy emotional intelligence to prioritize involves applying time-management techniques to how you handle your obligations. For instance, create a to-do list and review it regularly. If you know that packing your lunch and workout clothes in the evening will save you time in the morning, make that a priority and pack the night before. And schedule your day to make time for everything that is important to you, such as exercise, eating a healthy diet, talking to your friends, and studying. With more balance in your day comes greater confidence. Consider what happens when you fail to prioritize or use your time-management strategies. Does the stress lead to emotional reactions that then lead to negative consequences? Paying attention to these kinds of issues and making changes when needed are all part of developing a stronger emotional intelligence.