Emotional Maturity

Many of you have heard of my growing up without any awareness of emotional maturation. It was foreign to me. 

If someone gave me an example, I could feel and exhibit the emotion, such as being frustrated, nervous, or bored. If someone asked me how or what I felt at any particular time, I could not identify or express what was happening internally. This may not seem possible for some, yet to me, it was impossible. I needed more understanding when it came to recognizing and understanding emotions and how they play out in relationships. 

I experienced only two emotions: happy and mad. 

Starting from this conflicted point of view was a terrible way to begin a journey as a husband, father, or leader. 

Growing up without understanding how emotions impact relationships at home and in the workplace led to significant challenges throughout my personal and professional life. Emotional maturity encompasses recognizing, comprehending, managing emotions, and influencing others. This is pivotal in fostering healthy interpersonal relationships and achieving professional success. 

Without a grounding in emotional education, I often lacked the skills to navigate conflicts constructively. Instead of responding to tense situations with an empathetic, calm, and understanding approach, I might react impulsively or defensively, aggravating disagreements and harming relationships. 

Deficiencies in this area can result in inappropriate emotional expressions, such as outbursts or withdrawal in personal settings, which can disrupt communication and problem-solving efforts. 

Mastering emotional intelligence skills such as self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and effective communication requires intentional practice. Developing these skills can significantly enhance my quality of life, relationships, and career success, breaking the cycle of emotional misunderstandings. 

Lacking a model for emotional maturity made it challenging to guide my children in understanding emotions and managing relationships, potentially perpetuating this cycle across generations. 

What a different approach I have today. I am responsible for identifying my emotions and recognizing the feelings of others to be able to be in healthy relationships. 

How about you? What grade would you give yourself regarding your emotional maturity?  

Watch for the blind spots.

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