Emotional intelligence, also known as (EI) refers to the ability to perceive i.e., knowing how you feel and being able to label and feel the feelings, control (this does not mean suppress or stuff, but appropriately respond and express), and evaluate emotions (i.e., come to an understanding of the source of the emotions, what they do to you and how to harness the power behind the emotions for good!) Famous philospher, Plato indicates, "All learning has an emotional base."

Concepts of emotional intelligence have been around since the 1930s, but it was the psychologist William Gardner that brought this branch of social science to the forefront in the 1980’s. Since 1990, Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer have been the leading researchers on emotional intelligence. In their influential article “Emotional Intelligence,” they define emotional intelligence as, “the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions” (1990).

Some researchers suggest that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while other claim it is an inborn characteristic. I am of the opinion that there are ways to improve emotional intelligence. After all as I think about my life, how I responded to situations at the ages of 5, 15, 25 and 30 are all very different. There has been a marked improvement (as it to be expected) in emotional intelligence and stress management.

For example when you are 15, the personal challenges of emotional intelligence are very apparent! The concept of the ‘personal fable’ that plagues all teens is central to your existence. Basically the world revolves around. If so and so fails to recognize your existence, then your world comes crashing with assumption, depression, drama! At 30 you realize you have no need to make assumptions and do not take it personally because it is not about you! The effect of emotional intelligence on stress has paid off! You have no need to suffer for the choices of others, how sweet life becomes. Would I had this knowledge at 15!

There is a widely used term in the field of psychology known as resilience, which is simply the ability to bounce back after a set back. Emotional intelligence research has contributed much to the question of resilience, given much insight to the issue of nature vs. nurture and also instructed us on how to obtain emotional intelligence.

Obtaining emotional intelligence, no doubt leads to better outcomes in business, in the work place, in relationships and ones’ own personal life. There are also many correlations between emotional intelligence and academic achievement. Improving emotional intelligence is the greatest key to financial success and financial freedom!

The definition of emotional intelligence when it comes to financial success; is that it is the ability to stick to the integrity of your thoughts and beliefs.

“If you are one of those who believe that hard work and honesty, alone, will bring riches, perish the thought! It is not true! Riches, when they come in huge quantities, are never the result of hard work alone! Riches come, if they come at all, in response to definite demands, based upon application of definite principles, and not by chance or luck” – Napoleon Hill

So how can one obtain and enhance emotional intelligence? The following are steps for improving emotional intelligence:

1. Take an emotional intelligence test

2. Attend emotional intelligence workshops

3. There are free emotional intelligence quizzes and free emotional intelligence surverys online

4. Read articles on emotional intelligence

5. You could pay for a life coach and get emotional intelligence coaching

6. emotional intelligence + awareness

Roman philosopher, Tacitus taught that “The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

“If you can get rich by working hard, then have a good life. The problem is you still have to work hard.

TO MAKE IT TO BE RICH YOU SHOULD HAVE A SYSTEM WORK FOR YOU.

That is what Ford did when he built Ford Motors, that is what Edison did when he built General Electric and that is what Bill Gates did when he built Microsoft.

Remember the rich do not work for money, they learn to have money work for them.”- ROBERT T. KIYOSAKI