Ever get frustrated by an unexpected traffic jam or a child's tantrum, only to snap and later regret your reaction? If you're a busy parent or professional, the daily grind can leave you feeling overwhelmed and prone to reacting without thinking. This episode is the first in a short series on emotional intelligence, where you'll discover the crucial first step to stop drifting and start living with intention.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Reacting vs. Responding: The key difference between an autopilot reaction and an intentional, purposeful response.

• The "Pause Button": How to use a brief pause between a stressful event and your reaction to regain control and lead with intention.

• Mastering Self-Leadership: Why emotional intelligence is the foundation of self-leadership, as taught by John Maxwell.

• Uncovering Your Triggers: How to become more self-aware by identifying the specific events or situations that cause you to feel overwhelmed or frustrated.

• The Link to Your Values: Discover how your emotional triggers can be directly related to your core values, offering a powerful opportunity for growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Intentional Choice Guide: A free guide to help you clarify your values and make a plan to live them out. Get your copy at nickmaizy.com.

Your Next Step

• Pay Attention: For the next 24 hours, simply notice when you feel a quick, negative reaction to something unexpected. Don't judge it; just become aware of what triggers you.

• Rate & Review: If you found value in this episode, please leave a quick rating and review to help more people discover the podcast.

Episode Transcript

[Full transcript of the episode]