Being self-aware simply means that you’re able to recognize and label your feelings.

For example, when children learn to speak, they usually need to be given the vocabulary first, so if your son is angry because you’re not letting him have candy before dinner, he’ll know he feels bad, but can’t tell you what exactly it is, until you tell him that what he’s feeling is anger.

Socrates said “know thyself”, so developing a keener understanding of our own nature  (self awareness) is the first and most important step on the way to Emotional Intelligence.

Here are two really cool exercises to increase your emotional intelligence:

1. Mirror other people’s body language: This first exercise will not only help you connect better with the person across the table, it’ll also make you more emotionally self-aware. It’s one of tho...