5 Ways To Boost Emotional Growth

Emotional growth, also known as emotional maturity, is being wise enough to understand your feelings and apply that understanding in your life. People with emotional maturity are good at handling difficult situations in a calm, non-invasive manner.

They also know when to reach out for help or acknowledge that they need a break for fear of burning out. This level of self-awareness allows you to identify your emotions and those of others around you. Therefore, it will enable you to enjoy better relationships and live a more fulfilling life.

Several studies have been carried out on the value of emotional growth, especially in the workforce. Their findings show that the highest performers were those who displayed high levels of emotional maturity.

So, it’s not just about regular intelligence anymore. Emotional growth is just as important in both your professional and personal lives.

Let’s take a look at five ways to boost emotional growth.

1.?????Become More Self-Assured

Emotionally mature people know how to communicate their thoughts and beliefs in an assertive yet respectful way. They earn people’s respect because they know they come off as neither being too passive nor too aggressive.

They’re good at being direct and getting straight to the point. Still, they consider others’ opinions and respect what they have to offer.

2.?????Learn to Listen

There’s a difference between hearing someone speak and actually listening to what they’re saying. Most people just nod their heads as they wait for their turn to speak.

But actively listening means you pay close attention to what someone is saying before offering a valid response. It also means you hone in on the speaker’s non-verbal cues. This helps avoid any misunderstanding or mix-up that might take place during the conversation. Our bodies language speaks volumes compared to our verbal language, so pay close attention to get the right message.

3.?????Maintain a Positive Mindset

Your thoughts determine your outlook on life, which determines your behaviour. Hence, being aware of your mood and doing what needs to be done to have a good day is a great way to boost your emotional growth.

For example, you’re late for a meeting because you got stuck in traffic. Rather than complain and fuss all day over what happened, you can choose to keep an open mind.

One way to do that is to write down an uplifting quote that makes you smile and keep it at your desk. You can also practice mindfulness meditation for 5 minutes, do some controlled breathwork, or just have a quick spell of alone time during your lunch break, to destress.

4.?????Be Your Own Motivator

People who work on their emotional intelligence are self-motivators. They recognize that success comes from the inside. They don’t wait for others to cheer them on or for circumstances to magically align in their favour.

Instead, they set goals, and they work hard to attain them. They also remain steadfast in the face of challenges and don’t let setbacks get them down. Showing resilience keeps them keeping on by jumping their hurdles in life rather than being obstructed by them.

5.?????Empathize with Others

Learning how to empathize with others isn’t easy. First, it requires that you take a close look at your own emotions and self-worth, which can be intimidating at first.

Yet, once you get past those initial barriers, you’ll find that it’s quite liberating. Empathy is also more about empowerment and emotional strength than anything else. By placing ourselves in another person's shoes, it helps us gain a different perspective to our original opinions.

There’s nothing better than being able to relate to others. It’s a great way to find common ground based on mutual respect, despite any differences in opinion or beliefs people may have.

A Final Note

Emotional growth, or maturity, is being aware of your feelings and subsequent actions. It’s how you interact with others and listen to what they’re really saying. It’s also your ability to empathize with others and identify with them on a basic human level.

There are plenty of courses, books, and other resources out there that can help you learn how to increase your emotional intelligence, some are even free, so grab yourself some information and start leveling up.

By boosting your emotional growth, you have a better understanding of how you see yourself and those around you. As a result, you can achieve more, learn to be proud of your accomplishments, and give yourself the encouragement you need to accomplish more!