SELF-AWARENESS
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions. In order to become self-aware, you must be capable of monitoring your own emotions, recognizing different emotional reactions, and then correctly identifying each particular emotion. Self-aware individuals also recognize the relationships between the things they feel and how they behave. These individuals are capable recognizing their own strengths and limitations, are open to new information and experiences, and learn from their interactions with others.
SELF-REGULATION
Emotional intelligence requires you to be able to regulate and manage your emotions. This doesn't mean putting emotions on lock-down and hiding your true feelings--it simply means waiting for the right time, place, and avenue to express your emotions. Self-regulation is all about expressing your emotions appropriately. Those who are skilled in self-regulation tend to be flexible and adapt well to change. They are also good at managing conflict and diffusing tense or difficult situations.
"Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?"
Check out this 3-minute video on Self-Regulation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bKuoH8CkFc
MOTIVATION
People who are emotionally intelligent are motivated by things beyond mere external rewards like fame, money, and recognition. Instead, they have a passion to fulfill their own inner needs and goals. They seek things that lead to internal rewards and experience flow from being totally in tune with an activity. Those who are competent in this area tend to be action-oriented. They set goals, have a high need for achievement, and are always looking for ways to do better. They also tend to be very committed and are good at taking the initiative when a task is put forth before them.
EMPATHY
Empathy involves the ability to emotionally understand what another person is experiencing. Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone else's shoes and feeling what they must be feeling. When you see another person suffering, you might be able to instantly envision yourself in the other person's place and feel sympathy for what they are going through. When you sense how someone is feeling, it will likely influence how you respond to that individual.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Being able to interact well with others is another important aspect of emotional intelligence. True emotional understanding involves more than just understanding your own emotions and the feelings of others. You also need to be able to put this information to work in your daily interactions and communications. Social skills help you network and build rapport with others.