Living in our strengths determines the nature of our emotions (positive if we live in our strengths, and negative if we don’t) and the power to control our emotions, which comes from positive strengths.  All strengths are positive unless they are not used, overused, or misused.  The strengths of each temperament thrive on positive thoughts, feelings, and actions.  Therefore, all emotions are kept positive when we live in our strengths. And furthermore, living in our strengths helps us achieve a high EQ. 

In the next few articles, we will look at examples of three strengths from each temperament and the right and wrong use of  those strengths.  Avoiding the wrong uses and maximizing the right ones makes us more emotionally intelligent (e.g. produces a high EQ).  We’ll begin with the SP.

Some Ways SPs Can Achieve a High EQ

Strength: Living in the present moment

Using the Strength Correctly:  Focusing on the present keeps negative emotions from lingering and prevents our ruminating over the past or the potential troubles of the future.  It keeps the spirit fresh and bright.  As troubles and challenges arrive, negative thoughts are quickly replaced by others, and emotional control is won.  This defocuses o the troubles of the past and helps the SP forget them.  The worries of the future are forgotten in the thrill of the present, and the SP stays focused and happy with emotions temporarily under control.  

Nonuse: Whenever SPs do not live in the present and squeeze the joy out of it, they loose their optimism and become depressed.  Negative emotions develop, robbing them of control. 

Overuse: The ever changing present can be a place to hide from the pains of life.  When we constantly hide from pain in the excitement of the present, this strength creates a weakness that will surely catch up with us.  Emotions are not controlled; they are just swept out of sight.  This is also a misuse of the strength.  

Misuse: Living in the present can be a means of escaping the guilt of behavior that should be faced and rectified.  Whenever the SP lives in the present to escape the feelings of true guilt, they damage themselves further and the guilty feelings create a kind of residual pain with which we are all familiar.  Another negative emotion is formed.  

Strength: Brave, bold, daring

Using the Strength Correctly: Courage is a dominating feeling that has no room for counter feelings.  If courage and fear try to live together in our minds, one has to dominate and drive out the other.  Courage keeps us focused and keeps other emotions and thoughts subservient to its claim.  Courage in the SP is emotional intelligence as long as it contains a dose of wisdom.  

Nonuse: A nonuse of courage opens the door to fear.  Fear is a feeling the SP hates.  A loss of emotional control is inevitable and immediate when the SP experiences fear.  

Overuse: We can be too brave and daring.  To cultivate boldness that amounts to foolishness is not beyond this brave heart.  Knowing where bravery ends and foolishness begins is being emotionally intelligent for the SP.  

Misuse: An overuse of this strength is also a misuse.  Being brave in a cause that disregards the rights of others is also a misuse and is emotionally damaging.  

Strength: Spontaneous, impulsive

Using the Strength Correctly: Impulse can catch the thrill of the moment.  It often finds an alternative to boredom that is emotionally rewarding.  Many a sad moment has been averted by a spontaneous change for the better, and the SP knows this well.  When rightly used, spontaneity can lead to emotional intelligence by making a better choice and instantly executing it.  

Nonuse: For the SP temperament, failure to use this strength can rob them of joy, action, variety, and a sense of fulfillment.  Life then becomes monotonous, and the darkness of depression awaits them.  

Overuse: Too many changes in life can lead to instability and being accused of being an emotional butterfly.  Even for the SP, instability is damaging.  The SP who accepts every job offer to satisfy an impulsive urge for constant variety will rob themselves of a helpful purpose in life and a reliable reputation, while at the same time creating an emotional weakness.  

Misuse: Bad choices knock at the door of opportunity where impulse can seize them for the excitement and the danger they offer.  Values should educate our emotions or we will choose too quickly and breach our own sense of integrity.  Lost integrity is damaging to healthy emotions.

Next, we will take a look at how the SJ can achieve a hight EQ.

Resources to Help You:

THE WONDERFUL TRUTH ABOUT EMOTION

Are there such things as intelligent emotions? Intelligently Emotional will argue that there are. And they are the ones we must focus on if we want to know success.

Ray W. Lincoln will show us how understanding the patterns of emotion in our temperament will enable us to manage our emotions effectively. If you long to know how to understand your emotions and the immense power of your feelings, Intelligently Emotional  will show you the way.  The path to real emotional intelligence requires learning to partner with intelligent emotions.

DISCOVER THE TRUTH OF WHO YOU ARE!

Lean into the whole truth.  Discover the truth of who YOU are — the “Real You” — and who your children truly are.  Discover how to best engage your children in finding the whole truth.  INNERKINETICS, Your Blueprint to Excellence will guide you in that

Our team at InnerKinetics is ready to provide that help, too.  If you’d like some assistance, you can request a consultation.  An InnerKinetics consultant will call you to answer questions and schedule your meeting. Schedule an Initial Consultation. Alternatively, if you are more independent and want to cut to the chase, you need not wait for a call back. You can get answers to your questions and schedule your session HERE.

Our first and most important task in a world-changing mission is to learn how to think straight (and teach straight thinking) and combat the insurgence of crooked thinking in our culture and in our world today. If we become passive victims of this crooked way of thinking, we promote it. Furthermore, if we remain silent, we also give it credence. In Who Am I?, the reader progresses from how we have become “crooked thinkers” to how to break out of this prison of the mind to become instruments of change for a better world.  We do this by recognizing from where we derive our value as humans. “Build a straight and powerful mind.” ~ Ray W. Lincoln