Joyce Ann Isidro
There’s no question that society values people who are smart, intellectually speaking.
But did you know that emotional intelligence is just as important?
Having high emotional intelligence isn’t about being able to read minds or control your feelings; it’s about being able to understand and handle emotions, both yours and others’.
So when your emotional intelligence is at its peak, life gets absolutely smoother.
You will still experience pain, grief, and heartbreak, of course, but having high emotional intelligence means being able to navigate strong, complicated emotions more easily than most.
And that means that having your emotional intelligence reach its peak makes you more powerful than anyone you know.
Want to know the signs that your emotional intelligence is at its peak? Read more below to find out!
1) You recognize your feelings
Feelings tend to be complicated.
Often, we can’t tell anxiety from excitement, boredom from loneliness, or even love from infatuation.
That’s why being able to recognize your own feelings is a sign of high emotional intelligence.
Because even with the knowledge that feelings are complicated, you find it easy to recognize yours.
Do you know how powerful that is?
When you recognize your feelings, you’re able to figure out how to handle them and communicate them to others.
You don’t have to guess or keep others guessing, because it’s easy for you to say how you feel.
And that’s something not a lot of us are capable of doing.
2) You’re naturally empathic
Being around too many people can often be overwhelming for you because you tend to absorb their feelings.
A room full of people makes you feel all the things, and it makes you dizzy.
And while it truly is a pain, sometimes, it’s a blessing, too, because it shows that your emotional intelligence is at its peak.
You can sense when someone’s happy, sad, or going through a rough patch without them having to spell it out—and your close friends treasure you for that.
And more than empathy, you always go out of your way to be considerate of others, too.
3) You’re considerate
You’ve got the golden rule down pat – you treat others how you want to be treated.
You remember birthdays, you check in on people when they’re struggling, and you’re the first to offer a helping hand when they need support.
And it’s not people pleasing—it’s a genuine desire to be considerate and to help others when they need it, and this remarkable quality is indicative of high emotional intelligence.
So when people tell you you’re “too kind” or “too considerate,” you don’t mind them.
You know the world definitely needs more kindness, and if you could put more of it out into it, why wouldn’t you?
4) Your emotions don’t control you—you control them
We already know that emotions can be overwhelming.
But often, it can come to a point where it becomes so powerful that we lose control of it.
With you, though, it’s rarely ever that way, because your emotions don’t control you—you control them.
Even when they’re intense, you stay at the helm, making sure you’re always in the right direction.
You know not to let your emotions get the best of you; instead, you choose to take a step back, assess the situation, and decide how to respond the right way.
That way, you avoid hurting others and yourself, and your feelings don’t get buried or blown out of proportion.
5) You know how to say sorry
“Sorry” is such a simple word, so why is it so hard to say?
A simple, sincere apology can often easily mend the things we’ve broken, so why do we still refuse to say it?
Well, for you, you understand that apologizing to the people you hurt is more important than protecting your pride.
And being able to understand this is a telltale sign that your emotional intelligence is at its peak.
When you mess up, you don’t hesitate to admit it and make the proper reparations for the consequences of your actions.
You understand that apologies mend bridges, and you’re willing to make things right.
That’s why your apologies are sincere—for you, “sorry” is not just an empty word, because you follow through with it and show that you regret it and will never do it again.
And you don’t just apologize; you take accountability for the mistakes you’ve made, too.
6) You take accountability
Owning up to your mistakes can be hard.
It hurts our pride when we realize we did the wrong thing, and it’s embarrassing to admit to yourself—and other people—that you made a mistake.
But despite this, when something goes wrong, you take accountability, because you have high emotional intelligence.
You don’t blame your mistakes on other people or outside forces; instead, you step up and take responsibility for your part in the situation.
Whether it’s at work, in a friendship, or within your family, you’re not afraid to acknowledge your actions and work towards finding a solution.
7) You don’t hold grudges
Anger is like a hot stone. The more you hold onto it, the more it burns and hurts you.
That’s why you don’t hold grudges. You know that you’re not helping anyone by keeping it, and you’re only burning yourself the longer you hold onto it.
And being able to understand that people make mistakes, including yourself, and believing in the power of second chances means your emotional intelligence is at its peak.
And it’s to your advantage, because this attitude frees you from the burden of resentment and allows you to focus on the good things ahead instead of fixating on the bad things in the past.
8) You value criticism
Feedback isn’t a blow to your ego; it’s a valuable tool for growth.
In fact, you actively seek constructive criticism because you know it helps you improve. Even if it hurts sometimes, you listen willingly, because your desire to improve is greater than your pride.
Because your emotional intelligence is at its peak, you don’t take criticism personally, either; instead, you view it as a way to make your craft, and your life in general, better.
This attitude toward criticism also applies to other parts of your life.
Because you’re not ashamed to have your work criticized, that also means you’re not ashamed to show your emotions.
9) You show your emotions without shame
You wear your heart out on your sleeve, and you’re proud of it.
Whether you’re super excited, sad, or frustrated, you express yourself authentically, which is pretty indicative that your emotional intelligence is at its peak.
You don’t buy into the idea that showing emotions is a sign of weakness.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite – it’s a display of your courage and honesty, which inspires others to do the same.
10) You see the good in other people
You always see the good in other people—and sometimes even to a fault.
And the downside of being highly emotionally intelligent is that even when someone hurts you, you choose to focus on the good things they’ve done, and easily forgive their wrongs even if it still hurts you.
But other times, it’s a good thing, too, because you’re able to focus on people’s strengths and positive qualities instead of criticizing them harshly for their smallest mistakes.
Because even when someone messes up, you don’t write them off—you help them clean up their mess and teach them what to do so it doesn’t happen again next time.
Your ability to see the potential for growth and change in others is a remarkable quality, and if you ask me, that’s something we need more of in the world.
Final thoughts
If you’ve recognized these ten signs in yourself, that means you’re special—your emotional intelligence is at its peak!
You know very well how to manage your emotions, understand others, show kindness, and remain in control even in challenging situations. These are powerful skills that will serve you well in life.
Remember, emotional intelligence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about the continuous effort to understand and connect with both yourself and those around you.
Keep nurturing these qualities, and you’ll find that your life will become easier even in the face of big challenges.
