Administrative Assistant's Update

JANUARY 2018 2 9 things emotionally intelligent people won't do Understanding the critical role our emotions play in our personal and workplace success is one thing. Exercising consistent control of those emotions is quite another. Managing emotions "is as much about what you won't do as it is about what you do," says Travis Bradberry, co-founder of TalentSmart and co- author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0. In a recent TalentSmart newslet- ter he called attention to nine things people can avoid to increase their emotional intelligence. It's not an exhaustive list, he points out, but it is based on data gathered by Tal- entSmart through testing more than a million people. Here's the list: 1. They won't let anyone limit their joy� If you compare yourself or your accomplishments to others, Bradberry says, "you are no longer the master of your own happi- ness." It isn't that you ignore what others may think of you, but you also don't allow those opinions to detract from your feeling of accom- plishment. 2. They won't forget� While emotion- ally intelligent people may quickly forgive something that's happened to them and move on, they won't forget it or allow it to happen again. 3. They won't die in the fight� "In conflict, unchecked emotion makes you dig your heels in and fight the kind of battle that can leave you severely damaged," says Bradberry. So the advice is to read and respond to your emotions, choose battles wisely, and "only stand your ground when the time is right." 4. They won't prioritize perfection� Since perfection is unattainable, don't sweat falling short. "You end up spending your time lamenting what you failed to accomplish and what you should have done differ - ently instead of enjoying what you were able to achieve." 5. They won't live in the past� We all fail – unless we are so risk-averse that we always play it safe. Says Bradberry, "Emotionally intelligent people know that success lies in their ability to rise in the face of failure, and they can't do this when they're living in the past." 6. They won't dwell on problems� "When you fixate on the problems that you're facing, you create and prolong negative emotions and stress, which hinders performance." Instead, focus on potential solu - tions, create positive energy. 7. They won't hang around negative people� It's a drag, and you run the risk of being drawn into their emo- tional orbit. "A great way to set lim- its is to ask complainers how they intend to fix a problem," suggests Bradberry. "The complainer will then either quiet down or redirect the conversation in a productive direction." 8. They won't hold grudges� It's just plain unhealthy. Bradberry cites Emory University research showing that "holding onto stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease." Emotionally intelligent people avoid this like the plague. 9. They won't say yes unless they re - ally want to� Speaks for itself. It's a worthwhile checklist for us all, and one that I, at least, need to keep returning to. Emotions move us but we do need to be aware of how. E D I TO R ' S N OT E George Pearson Administrative Assistant's Update is published once a month by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Director, Media Solutions, Canada: Karen Lorimer Publisher: Todd Humber Editor: George Pearson george@adminupdate.ca Associate Editor: Jennifer Lewington jennifer@adminupdate.ca EDITORIAL OFFICE (519) 271-6000 Administrative Assistant's Update Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. 1 Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road Toronto, ON M1T 3V4 CUSTOMER SERVICE (416) 609-3800 (800) 387-5164 FAX (416) 298-5082 (877) 750-9041 customersupport.legaltaxcanada @tr.com Contents copyright. All rights reserved. © 2017 Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Contents may not be reproduced without written permission. Brief extracts may be made with due acknowledgement. Annual subscription: $189. Publications Mail Registration No. 40065782 GST# 897176350 UPDATE Administrative Assistant's

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