Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to achieve your goals. It also includes the ability to understand, use and influence the emotions of others. People with high emotional intelligence are often referred to as having a strong EQ (emotional quotient)
The following are four main components of emotional intelligence:
- Self awareness: The ability to recognize and understand your own emotions and the impact they have on your thoughts and behavior.
- Self regulation: The ability to control your emotions and impulses.
- Social awareness: The ability to understand the emotions of others.
- Relationship Management: The ability to build and maintain healthy relationship
Driving with Emotional Intelligence
You may have obsession about slow traffic and in such case, you might be tempted to feel like; ‘At this rate, I will never get to my destination’, ‘I’m going backwards’, ‘I’m stuck behind this slow driver’.
With self awareness, you will foresee yourself feeling that way because, you understand your kind of person. Your self awareness in turn, will help you apply emotionally intelligent remedies like; leaving earlier, giving up getting there on time, distracting yourself with radio or music, taking a deep breath.
On the urge or tendency to quarrel because you feel that you were not fairly treated on the road, maybe a fellow driver just cut dangerously before you. At this point, you may be tempted to act like; ‘This jerk just cut me off, who does he think he is? I’m going to show him the stuff I’m made of, ‘He can’t push me around’ Nobody gives me a finger and gets away with it.
Self regulation will help you restrain yourself and apply emotionally intelligent remedies like; making possible excuses for the driver. His son could be in the hospital and his attention needed urgently, his wife could be in labor, he could be a medical personnel rushing to save life. You can also whistle or make funny animal sound as other emotionally intelligent remedies.
A driver that loves taking risk might tend to justify his actions by saying; ‘I like to go fast, but I’m careful’, I can beat the light if I speed up. That is actually a problem.
Social awareness will help you remember that there are loved ones, family and friends who would be affected if anything goes wrong as a result of your actions. You can solve that problem with emotional intelligence by thinking of your loved ones and how they will feel if something happens to you. Tell yourself you prefer to be matured and prudent.
The difference between you and the other driver is your reaction which I dependent on you. Choose to make good decisions on the road and your reaction to possible threats will be commendable.
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