Emotional Intelligence 101: The 8 Primary Emotions You Must Know

 Today, I would love to talk to you about your primary basic emotions.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical factor in personal and professional success. Understanding your emotions and those of others is the foundation of EQ. In this blog post, we'll delve into the core of emotional intelligence by exploring the eight primary emotions you need to recognize and manage effectively.

Introduction: The Power of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, often referred to as EQ, is the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions. It encompasses a range of skills, including emotional awareness, empathy, self-regulation, and relationship management. EQ is essential for building strong relationships, making sound decisions, and achieving personal growth and professional success.

WHEEL OF EMOTIONS BY ROBERT PLUTCHIK 

As you see, he gathered eight primary emotions altogether and he paired them with their opposites. These are all opposite polar’s of emotions and that's exactly what we are going to talk about right now.

1. Fear: The Survival Emotion

Fear is a primal emotion that triggers the fight-or-flight response. Understanding and managing fear is crucial for overcoming challenges and avoiding anxiety and avoidance.

2. Anger: The Motivating Force

As you see, anger is the Right opposite of fear on the Wheels. Why? Because when you feel fear, you diminish, your power, you let go of your power. You feel helpless and hopeless, and just like a turtle, you get smaller, whereas on the opposite side.

When you have anger, you get bigger even physiologically speaking. Now, you are ready to attack and fight that anger because the anger motivates you to do bigger behaviors. And that's exactly why it is on the opposite side.

When your amygdala is triggered, it is either a motivating fight or flight response, fight is anger, right? You're so angry you’re going to fight with it. Fear is the opposite of it. You're just going to diminish your power and you're going to give up.

3. Sadness: The Key to Empathy

Sadness may seem negative, but it is the foundation of empathy and compassion. It helps us connect with others on a deeper level and find meaning in our shared experiences.

4. Disgust: Recognizing What Doesn't Serve You

Disgust is a signal that something isn't right or aligns with your values. Acknowledging and addressing disgust can lead to better decision-making and personal growth.

5. Anticipation: The Power of Preparation

Anticipation involves expecting and preparing for the future. It empowers us to set goals, make plans, and navigate life's uncertainties.

6. Surprise: Embracing the Unknown

Surprise occurs when life deviates from our expectations. It encourages adaptability and embracing the unpredictable nature of existence.

7. Trust: The Foundation of Strong Relationships

Trust is built on reliability and integrity. Cultivating trust, both in yourself and others, is crucial for building healthy and meaningful relationships.

8. Joy: The Ultimate Goal

Joy is the most positive emotion, representing happiness, contentment, and bliss. Mastering joy can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

The Importance of Accurate Emotion Labeling

So why is it important to know? All these basic emotions? Like I said, again, most of the time, unfortunately, we name them incorrectly. And when you name your emotions incorrectly, there is no way to understand your human behaviors and the root causes of them. 

Conclusion: Mastering Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed over time. By understanding and mastering the eight primary emotions, you can gain a deeper insight into your feelings, making sound decisions and building strong relationships. The journey to emotional mastery begins with self-awareness and the willingness to embrace the complexity of human emotions.

Join us on the Shiny Mind show to explore more about Emotional Intelligence and unlock your full potential in the digital age.

Made with love ❤️ for a better world, with more #love ❤️ and #ShinyMinds.

by Shiny Burcu Unsal