Al-Jazirah

I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day and there were very few customers and the place was very quiet. One of the staff was bored so he sat at a table and started watching video clips. From time to time, I looked at him and saw that he was always frowning. I realized that he needed to learn something about emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is an essential art and science that has two factors: To be aware of your feelings and to learn how to control them. You have to apply those two factors on yourself before you can apply them to others.

In order to be aware of yourself Dr. Travis Bradberry recommends keeping a journal of your emotions. Objectivity is the biggest challenge in developing self-awareness. It is hard to form an objective point of view if all of your days are like climbing a mountain.

But a daily journal will allow you to write about events that stirred up feelings in you and how you dealt with the situation. You should write about your time at work, home and everywhere else, without exception. After one month of doing so, you will notice a repeated pattern in your emotions and you will have a better understanding of your tendencies. Focus on the people and the situations that trigger you the most. Describe the emotions you feel everyday and do not forget to write about the physical sensations that accompany those emotions.

This is one of many methods that help increase self-awareness. Bradberry advises you to make your goals public. Sometimes the biggest frustrations are private ones, because they can raise negative feelings. Nothing motivates people to achieve their goals more than making them public. Letting your friends and family know about your plan and what you intend to do will give you a greater sense of responsibility. A major part of self-management is based on motivation and it can increase if you give the people around you the power to reward or punish you.

Twitter: @i_alammar