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Summary of Emotional Agility 

4.6 . 3022 reviews

Short summary

Each day, we create tens of thousands of words in our minds. Thoughts like “I'm not spending enough time with my family” or “I'm not good enough to present my work” can sound like solid facts. In reality, they're just the opinions of our inner voice trying to judge us. Drawing on over two decades of academic research, consulting, and her own experiences in overcoming adversity, Susan David, Ph.D. has pioneered Emotional Agility — a new way to help us reconcile with our inner self, make real change, achieve our most valued goals, and live life to the fullest. In this summary, you'll learn how to live and relate to yourself and the world around you. You will discover how you can cultivate awareness for your true nature, learn to face your emotions with acceptance and generosity, act according to your deepest values, and flourish. "Courage is not an absence of fear; courage is fear walking." ~ Susan David, Ph.D.

Table of content

  • Summary of Emotional Agility
  • About the author
  • What is Emotional Agility about?
  • Who should read Emotional Agility
  • Topics in Emotional Agility
first key point

Emotional agility is all about calming down and living with more intention

Listen the first key point
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As we journey through life, the only thing that helps us navigate life's complex currents is our emotional system. Our emotions — sensations such as joy, fear, anxiety, and exhilaration — are the body's instant, physical responses to vital signals from the outside world.
Our emotions are what constitute our natural guidance system.
When our senses pick up information like hints of romantic interest, cues that we’re being accepted or excluded by our peers, and signs of danger — we physically adjust to these incoming messages through different forms of emotions. These physical responses keep our inner state and our outward behavior in sync with the situation at hand and can help us survive and flourish.

However, even though our emotions are essential in guiding us through life, they are not always reliable. In most instances, they serve as some sort of internal radar that helps us cut through pretenses and posturing, giving us the most accurate and insightful read into what’s really going on in a situation.

But in other situations, emotions confuse our perception of what’s happening at the moment with painful, past experiences. These sensations can cloud our judgment completely and steer us right onto the rocks.
Emotional agility is not about forcing yourself into thinking more positively or controlling your thoughts. ~ Susan David, Ph.D
According to Susan David, to flourish in life, you have to become more aware of your emotions — both positive and negative — and learn to accept them. And the only way to achieve this is by increasing your emotional agility.
Emotional agility involves being flexible with your thoughts and feelings so that you can respond optimally to everyday situations.
Emotional agility is, essentially, a process that lets you be in the moment, modifying or maintaining your behaviors so that you can live in ways that align with your values and intentions.

The process isn’t about disregarding difficult emotions and trying to stay “positive.” It’s about holding those thoughts and feelings loosely, facing them with courage, and then moving past them to make changes in your life. In the following chapters, we'll dive deeper into the essential concepts of emotional agility.
second key point

Show up to good and bad emotions, label them appropriately and learn from all of them

In life, when faced with complex thoughts and emotions, we resort to brooding or try as much as possible to ignore them as if they aren't there. We also try to think positively to keep the negative thoughts out of our heads.
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third key point

Step out of your emotions, accept them for what they are, and get a broader view

fourth key point

Walk your why: attaining emotional agility requires you to live by your personal values

fifth key point

Identify the guiding principles of your life and put them in motion

sixth key point

Seek to make lasting changes by adopting a growth mindset

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is Emotional Agility about?

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.