In 1983, Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard, published Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. In the book, he presented one type of intelligence that everyone must develop if they want to be successful. That is emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and control your own emotions. It means having a deep understanding of yourself, knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, and handling reactions and emotions wisely. Emotional intelligence is key to success in almost any field and it is especially important for high-stress environments, for example, when times are tough and when a person wants to quit or is fearful.
We all know highly emotional people. Rather than react wisely, they tend to let their emotions run their lives, often saying or doing something they may later regret. I’ve seen many people do this on social media, getting in arguments with loved ones over unimportant things because they have different opinions. This inability to master the self leads to many struggles and heartaches for people.
Emotional intelligence does not mean being void (没有) of emotions. It means you know it is okay to be angry, just not out-of-control angry. You know it’s okay to feel hurt, but it is not okay to do something stupid in the name of revenge (报复). Many of us know people who are very intelligent, but allow their emotions to damage their lives.
Now, think deeply on how you manage your emotions. Are you smart in the way you express what you’re feeling, especially when the pressure is on?
【小题1】According to the passage, what is “emotional intelligence”?【小题2】In what occasion is Emotional Intelligence especially important?
【小题3】How do highly emotional people deal with their emotions?
【小题4】In your daily life, what can you do to better manage your emotions? Please give some examples.
