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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Emotional Agility summary
Susan David
Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life
19 mins
Brief summary
Emotional Agility by Susan David offers practical advice on how to better manage our emotions, including learning to identify and work with them rather than getting stuck or overwhelmed. It promotes a more flexible, open approach to living a fulfilling life.
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Emotional Agility
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Key idea 1 of 8
The human brain can create distorted stories based on lived experience.
It’s long been known that great movies need a great “hook,” a simple device that motivates the characters and gets the story moving. But hooks exist outside of film, too. In fact, we often get hooked into the story of our own life in the same way.
From one moment to the next, our brains are constantly trying to make sense of our experiences and turn them into a coherent story about our lives. They create narratives from billions of pieces of sensory input.
For instance, the author’s basic “story” goes like this: "I am waking up and getting out of bed. The small person jumping at me is my daughter. I grew up in Johannesburg, but I currently live in New York. I need to get up today because I’m a social worker."
As long as things are simple and positive, it’s not tricky. But the story construction often goes awry.
The issue is that the stories our minds manufacture are rarely accurate. Instead, they distort reality, often in a negative way. And that’s not good because misrepresentation produces negative emotions.
For instance, let’s say your parents separated soon after your birth. You might blame yourself for their divorce, even though you’re completely innocent. Or you might think you’ll always be unloved because you were a shy, introverted child in a family of extroverts.
These kinds of distortions happen every day, and the results can be harmful. Imagine you’re at loggerheads with your boss, but, instead of addressing the issue directly, the event negatively clouds your thinking and so you go home and snap at your spouse because she forgot to run the dishwasher. Thanks to distortion, you’ve not only failed to resolve the conflict with your boss; you’ve riled up your partner, too.
Put simply, we rarely see our lives as they really are. Rather, we weave distorted stories that make us emotionally unhappy. Emotional agility is the ability to step back from the emotions and figure out what needs to change.
So how should we set about unraveling this mess?
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What is Emotional Agility about?
Emotional Agility (2016) provides the theories and tools that will emancipate you from the fickle rule of your emotions. If you can distance yourself from the knots of anger and fear in your stomach, you can gradually learn to unwind and heal.
Emotional Agility Review
Emotional Agility (2016) by Susan David is a compelling book that offers valuable insights into navigating emotions and building resilience. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With practical strategies and relatable stories, the book empowers readers to navigate difficult emotions, adapt to challenges, and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
- By blending scientific research, personal experiences, and real-world examples, the book provides a solid foundation for understanding and managing emotions effectively.
- Through its thought-provoking ideas and actionable advice, the book keeps readers engaged and motivated, ensuring that the topic of emotional agility never feels dry or boring.
Best quote from Emotional Agility
These dubious, inaccurate stories leave us conflicted or waste our time.
—Susan David
Who should read Emotional Agility?
- Multitaskers who work a job and also take care of a family
- Psychologists and life coaches
- Emotional people who need help dealing with the world at large
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Emotional Agility FAQs
What is the main message of Emotional Agility?
The main message of Emotional Agility is to embrace emotional challenges and develop resilience.
How long does it take to read Emotional Agility?
The reading time for Emotional Agility varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Emotional Agility a good book? Is it worth reading?
Emotional Agility is worth reading as it offers valuable insights and practical strategies to effectively navigate through emotional experiences.
Who is the author of Emotional Agility?
The author of Emotional Agility is Susan David.
What to read after Emotional Agility?
If you're wondering what to read next after Emotional Agility, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Get Momentum by Jason W. Womack and Jodi Womack
- Anger Management for Dummies by Charles H. Elliott & Laura L. Smith
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- The Origin of Everyday Moods by Robert E. Thayer
- Fear Less by Pippa Grange
- You Are Your Best Thing by Edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg
- The Journey Beyond Fear by John Hagel III
- How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma