GetBeyondEQ

  Gratitude Beyond the Holidays: How Emotional Dexterity Deepens Thankfulness All Year Round Each November, as Thanksgiving approaches, we’re encouraged to pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for — family, health, friendships, opportunities. But once the holiday dishes are cleared and the decorations packed away, many of us slip back into old routines of stress, distraction, and emotional autopilot. The truth is, gratitude isn’t meant to be seasonal. It’s one of the most powerful emotional tools we have for creating daily balance and resilience — and Emotional Dexterity helps us make that gratitude stick. From Seasonal Gratitude to Sustainable Gratitude Emotional Dexterity is the ability to navigate your emotions with awareness, flexibility, and purpose. Instead of being swept away by stress or negativity, you learn to pause, reframe, and choose a more empowering response. When you practice gratitude through this lens, it stops being something you do once a year and be...

                                                              As the leaves fall and nature prepares for renewal, autumn invites us to reflect on what we too might release. Just as trees shed what no longer serves them, we’re reminded that letting go isn’t about loss—it’s about making space for growth.  At this time of year, many of us carry emotional “clutter”: negative self-talk, perfectionism, or old habits that weigh us down. These patterns can quietly drain energy and prevent us from moving forward. But when we practice emotional dexterity—the ability to recognize, reframe, and release unhelpful emotions—we create the clarity and strength to finish the year lighter and more aligned.  1. Let Go of Negative Self-Talk Notice your inner dialogue. Do you speak to yourself with kindness or ...

  October is the unofficial burnout month. The excitement of the new year has long faded, the holidays are still weeks away, and the workload seems to only grow heavier. It’s that moment when motivation dips, stress rises, and exhaustion whispers, “Just make it through.” But surviving isn’t the same as thriving. This is the perfect time to pause, reset, and realign. In Beyond Emotional Intelligence: Never Have Another Bad Day , I share how emotional dexterity—the ability to shift your state intentionally—can keep you balanced even in high-pressure seasons. When burnout threatens, remember - you can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can refill it with awareness and choice. Here are a few strategies to finish the year strong: 1. Recognize your energy drains. Identify what’s pulling you down—too many commitments, poor sleep, skipped workouts, or lack of connection. Awareness is the first step to renewal. 2. Reconnect to purpose. Ask yourself, Why does this matter? When y...

  October may bring haunted houses, costumes, and the thrill of spooky fun—but fear doesn’t disappear when the decorations come down. While Halloween fear is playful and temporary, the deeper fears that shape our lives—fear of failure, rejection, change, or uncertainty—can quietly hold us back long after the pumpkins fade.  The truth is: fear isn’t the enemy. It’s information. It’s energy. And when we approach it with emotional dexterity , we can transform it into something powerful— curiosity, courage, and clarity .  Overcoming Fear: The F.E.A.R. Approach Fear loses its grip when you turn it into fuel for growth. Start by F – Facing it with honesty instead of avoidance. Next, E – Educate yourself about what truly triggers the fear—knowledge brings clarity and reduces uncertainty. Then, A – Act with intention; even small steps build momentum and confidence. Finally, R – Release it by letting go of the tension and stories that no longer serve you. When you transform fea...

  Change — whether expected or unexpected — can shake even the most grounded person. But it’s also the perfect opportunity to practice emotional dexterity . Times of transition, like starting a new job, moving to a new city, or adjusting to a shift in personal circumstances, challenge our comfort zones. The key to thriving in these moments is not avoiding change but learning to navigate it with flexibility and intention.   When we develop emotional dexterity — the ability to recognize, reframe, and respond thoughtfully to our emotions — we transform uncertainty into empowerment.  1. Recognizing Emotional Triggers During Change Every transition comes with emotional triggers. You may notice tension, frustration, or self-doubt surfacing as your brain processes the unknown. Instead of pushing those feelings away, identify and name them . Awareness is the first step toward control. Try this: When you feel unsettled, pause and ask yourself, “What’s really driving this ...

  Part Two: Looking Ahead — Refocusing to Finish the Year Strong As fall deepens and the year begins its final chapter, we’re given a valuable opportunity: the chance to refocus and finish strong. While the earlier part of the year may have brought progress, setbacks, or distractions, what matters most is what you do now. The final months can become your most powerful when approached with clarity and intention. Reflection (explored in Part One) helps us recognize what worked and what didn’t. But forward momentum requires more than recognition—it requires Emotional Dexterity. In Beyond Emotional Intelligence: Never Have Another Bad Day! I outline how Emotional Dexterity allows you to consciously shift from emotional drivers (fear, stress, overwhelm) to emotional creators (curiosity, gratitude, determination). This shift provides the emotional fuel needed to stay consistent with your goals, even when motivation dips. One practical tool is the IRRA process—Identify, Release, Rep...