A great deal is being said these days about the impact of emotional intelligence. While the concept is entirely valid, valuable and validated, all the 'hoop-la' can be misleading to say the least.

We all have a measure of 'emotional intelligence', for without it we could not function in society. Unlike intellectual intelligence, it is not a measure of competence or aptitude, possessed by some select few and earnestly sought by others. It is a condition or state which is variable, dynamic and sometimes even inconsistent.

A useful and familiar analogy would be our physical health. We can be healthy, but this doesn't mean we are fit, nor does it mean we're not injured or incapacitated in some way. Likewise, we can be emotionally intelligent, relative to the norm, but this doesn't mean that we are better, more competent than others, nor does it suggest that we can do all things and/or cope with all situations.

As with physical health, emotional fitness does improve our ability to focus on the important issues, our stamina, our resiliency, even our resistance to undesirable, external influences. It makes good sense to strive for an optimal level of emotional health, much in the same way we usually attempt to remain physically healthy.

Consider the commonly accepted components of emotional intelligence and ask yourself, "What can I do to sustain optimal health in each area?"

Self Regard - do I like myself well enough to ascribe real value to my contributions?

Self Awareness - can I recognize when I'm changing my emotional state or condition?

Assertiveness - am I able to properly represent my positions on issues that are of importance?

Independence - can I form and sustain my own positions on issues in the face of conflict?

Self Actualization - am I living to my fullest potentials, being all that I can be?

Self Control - can I survive an emotional hijacking, and defer gratification if needed?

Empathy - can I recognize and remain sensitive to the emotional condition of others?

Relationships - do I value and seek to protect the significant relationships in my life?

Intuition - can I trust my 'gut' and have confidence that my feelings are valid indicators?

Flexibility - do I remain open/receptive to the positions of others even when in conflict?

Motivation - am I able to stay focused on issues/tasks and follow through to full completion?

Stress Management - am I managing effectively the stressors to which I'm exposed?

Self Regulation - can I assess/match my emotional responses to the situation appropriately?

Optimism - do I sustain a reasoned yet positive expectation regarding events in my life?

Happiness - am I generally content in/appreciative of situations frequently encountered?

Whether we use a 'Yes/No' approach or a ten-point scale, all we really need is an awareness of any 'flags on the play' at any time. If there is a problem in any of these areas, we would want to take remedial action as a priority.

After all, our health, emotional as well as physical, is an essential element in the quality of our life, at work and at home.