HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Developing your EI is an important step toward getting the full benefit of a college education. Think about how you cope with emotional stress. Do you often give up because something is just too hard or because you can’t figure it out? Do you take responsibility for what you do, or do you blame others if you fail? How can you communicate effectively if you are not assertive or if you are overly aggressive? If you’re inflexible, how can you solve problems, get along with coworkers and family members, or learn from other people’s points of view?

The good news is that you can improve your EI. It might not be easy—old habits are hard to change—but it can definitely be done. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Take a hard look at yourself, and consider how you respond to situations. Most people have trouble evaluating their own behaviors realistically, so ask someone you trust and respect for insight.
  2. Set realistic goals. As you identify areas of emotional intelligence that you would like to improve, be as specific as possible. Instead of deciding to be more assertive, for example, focus on a specific issue that is giving you trouble.
  3. Formulate a plan. With a particular goal in mind, identify a series of steps you could take to achieve the goal, and define the results that would indicate success.
  4. Check your progress on a regular basis. Continually re-evaluate whether or not you have met your goals, and adjust your strategy as needed.

It’s important not to try to improve everything at once. Instead, identify specific EI competencies that you can define and describe, and then set measurable goals for change. Don’t expect success overnight. Remember that it took you a while to develop your specific approach to life, and changing it will take commitment and practice.

high-impact practice 2

Write and Reflect

Thinking Ahead

Write a description of yourself as a successful person ten years after you graduate. What kinds of skills will you have? Don’t just focus on your degree or a job description; include the EI competencies that help explain why you have become successful.