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Emotional Intelligence: The Underrated Ingredient for a Successful and Fulfilling Life Reflections Inspired by a Landmark 40-Year Study
How One Study Changed the Way I See Success
Not long ago, I came across a remarkable 40-year study from Dunedin, New Zealand, that completely shifted how I think about “making it” in life. They tracked over a thousand people from the time they were little kids all the way into adulthood — examining everything from their home environments to their personalities, and even their childhood behaviors (like how they dealt with conflict or resisted temptations).
In the end, the researchers discovered something both surprising and comforting: it wasn’t IQ, wealth, or status that best predicted someone’s success. It was emotional intelligence — the ability to manage emotions and impulses.
But Why EQ?
I used to believe that top grades or sheer brainpower would skyrocket a person to success — like it was all about who was the smartest or the most privileged. Yet, as I read more about this study, I realized there’s another ingredient that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Think about it:
- You might know someone who’s incredibly bright but can’t handle stress or criticism, so they…