How emotionally wise are you?

You are able to identify emotion in how you feel physically, e.g., anxiety as a knot in your stomach.

You can identify emotions in your thoughts, e.g., you know if you’re feeling happy, sad, or angry and can articulate the thoughts you have about those feelings.

You are able to identify whether someone’s emotions are honest or dishonest, or if they are an accurate representation of what they’re actually feeling.

Emotional wisdom comes in degrees and is relatively complex, involving intricate interconnections between different areas in the brain. Most people have room to grow so don't be disheartened: the point is that this is a skill that you can develop.

Try reading up on emotional intellegence (which I call emotional wisdom because we can grow it - it's not fixed like IQ), spend more time tuning in to what the people around you are doing, how they're reacting - not from a judgemental perspective but with a curiosity that allows you to explore and discover. My books could help (Defining You and Mirror Thinking) but there are also many, many more you could try e.g. Emotional Intellegence by Daniel Goleman.

You could also:

• Practice self-reflection to gain deeper insights into your patterns and triggers. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues, friends, or family about your emotional responses and interpersonal skills.
• Work on understanding others' perspectives and emotions, even in challenging situations, and focus on improving your active listening skills.
• Learn and practice advanced stress management techniques to maintain emotional balance.
• Engage in mindfulness meditation to increase self-awareness and emotional regulation, expand your emotional vocabulary, and seek out new experiences that push you out of your comfort zone.

You are able to vividly recall emotional responses you’ve had to previous events.

When you encounter distressing or optimistic events, it has an impact on your viewpoint.

When you’re in different moods it affects the output of your work, e.g., when you are happy you are more creative, or when sad you are more poetic.

The fact that your level of emotional wisdom (as you've rated yourself) is usual is a good thing. It provides a really strong base from which to build your skills.

Try reading up on emotional intellegence (which I call emotional wisdom because we can grow it - it's not fixed like IQ), spend more time tuning in to what the people around you are doing, how they're reacting - not from a judgemental perspective but with a curiosity that allows you to explore and discover. My books could help (Defining You and Mirror Thinking) but there are also many, many more you could try e.g. Emotional Intellegence by Daniel Goleman. You could also:

• Practice self-reflection to gain deeper insights into your patterns and triggers. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues, friends, or family about your emotional responses and interpersonal skills.
• Work on understanding others' perspectives and emotions, even in challenging situations, and focus on improving your active listening skills.
• Learn and practice advanced stress management techniques to maintain emotional balance.
• Engage in mindfulness meditation to increase self-awareness and emotional regulation, expand your emotional vocabulary, and seek out new experiences that push you out of your comfort zone.

You are able to stay open to your feelings, regardless of whether they are pleasant or unpleasant.

You can engage with or detach yourself from an emotion depending on how informative it is.

You are able to observe your emotions in relation to yourself and other people, recognizing how influential or reasonable they are.

You are able to manage your emotions and those of other people by moderating negative emotions and enhancing pleasant ones, without exaggerating the information they convey.

So as you see having a high level of emotional wisdom offers numerous benefits in both personal and professional spheres. You may find that being more empathetic leads to stronger relationships and improved communication. If you are a leader, you're more likely to be able to really understand and motivate your team, and your deep self-awareness will foster personal growth.

You probably manage conflicts adeptly, regulating stress effectively, and making balanced decisions. Ultimately, high emotional intelligence will mean that you have enhanced interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and ability to navigate complex social and emotional situations, driving your personal and professional success. BUT that doesn't mean you can't improve.

Here are some ways to further enhance your high emotional wisdom:

• Try reading up on emotional intellegence (which I call emotional wisdom because we can grow it - it's not fixed like IQ), spend more time tuning in to what the people around you are doing, how they're reacting - not from a judgemental perspective but with a curiosity that allows you to explore and discover. My books could help (Defining You and Mirror Thinking) but there are also many, many more you could try e.g. Emotional Intellegence by Daniel Goleman.
• Practice self-reflection to gain deeper insights into your patterns and triggers. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues, friends, or family about your emotional responses and interpersonal skills.
• Work on understanding others' perspectives and emotions, even in challenging situations, and focus on improving your active listening skills.
• Learn and practice advanced stress management techniques to maintain emotional balance.
• Engage in mindfulness meditation to increase self-awareness and emotional regulation, expand your emotional vocabulary, and seek out new experiences that push you out of your comfort zone.

Emotional wisdom is not a fixed trait but a set of skills you can continuously improve, leading to better relationships, enhanced leadership capabilities, and greater overall success.