I recently started reading “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. I was browsing Barnes & Noble when the book caught my eye. I have never been good at articulating my feelings and it’s caused issues and problems for me in the past.

The book starts out by explaining what emotional intelligence is and why it’s beneficial. Then, the authors invite readers to go online and use the access code provided in the book to take a short quiz to see exactly what their individual emotional intelligence score is.

I bought the book and came home and took the quiz. I was completely and utterly shocked at how low my score was. I mean I knew that it wouldn’t be very high, but I truly had no idea it was as low as the test calculated. I knew I needed to do some work in this area.

I’m excited to begin this journey of improving my emotional intelligence, I know it can only help me maintain a better mental state and closer, more connected relationships. I know the journey won’t be easy, but growth never is.

The following chart is the different categories from the book:

90-100

A STRENGTH TO CAPITALIZE ON

These scores are much higher than average and indicate a noteworthy strength. These strengths probably come naturally to you or exist because you have worked hard to develop them. Seize every opportunity to use these emotionally intelligent behaviors to maximize your success. You are highly competent in this skill, so work to capitalize on it and achieve your potential.

80-89

A STRENGTH TO BUILD ON

This score is above average. However, there are a few situations where you don’t demonstrate emotionally intelligent behavior. There are many things you’ve done well to receive this score and a few that could be better with some practice. Study the behaviors for which you received this score and consider how you can polish your skills.

70-79

WITH A LITTLE IMPROVEMENT, THIS COULD BE A STRENGTH

You are aware of some of the behaviors for which you received this score, and you are doing well with them. Other emotionally intelligent behaviors in this group are holding you back. Lots of people start here and see a big improvement in their emotional intelligence once it’s brought to their attention. Use this opportunity to discover the difference and improve in the areas where you don’t do as well.

60-69

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD WORK ON

This is an area where you sometimes demonstrate emotionally intelligent behavior but not usually. You may be starting to let people down. Perhaps this is a skill area that doesn’t always come naturally for you or that you don’t make use of. With a little improvement in this skill, your credibility will go way up.

A CONCERN YOU MUST ADDRESS

This skill area is either a problem for you, you don’t value it, or you didn’t know it was important. The bad news is your skills in this area are limiting your effectiveness. The good news is this discovery and choosing to do something about it will go a long way in improving your emotionally intelligent behavior.

Which category do you think you would fall into?