Emotional Agility

Emotional Agility

In Emotional Agility, Dr Susan David draws on her more than twenty years of research into emotions to introduce this revolutionary new concept. Dr David, who lived in Australia for 10 years and completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne, is a renowned Harvard Medical School psychologist. She is an expert on emotions, achievement, happiness and flourishing.

Emotional agility is a process that enables us to navigate life's twists and turns with self-acceptance. We're all captive to our emotions which can be both good and bad, however this often sees us ignoring or pushing away the difficult emotions and thoughts. Emotional agility is about holding those emotions and thoughts loosely, facing them courageously and compassionately, and then moving past them to ignite change in your life.

Dr David also challenges the prevailing attitude that we should 'fix" our difficult emotions through positive thinking and chasing happiness. Her science based research shows us how anyone can thrive in an uncertain world - not by ignoring troubling thoughts or feelings, but by gaining critical insights from them to adapt, and ignite change in how we love, live, parent, and lead.

In the book, Dr. David shares four key concepts:
Instead of ignoring difficult thoughts and emotions or overemphasising -positive thinking', face into your thoughts, emotions and behaviours willingly, with curiosity and kindness.
Detach from, and observe your thoughts and emotions to see them for what they are"just thoughts, just emotions.
Your core values provide the compass that keeps you moving in the right direction. Rather than being abstract ideas, these values are the true path to willpower, resilience and effectiveness.
Small deliberate tweaks to your mindset, motivation, and habits – in ways that are infused with your values, can make a powerful difference in your life. The idea is to find the balance between challenge and competence, so that you're neither complacent nor overwhelmed. You're excited, enthusiastic, invigorated.

Emotional Agility shows us how to gain critical insight about situations from our feelings, and to use this knowledge to adapt and align our values and actions, to bring the best of ourselves forward. Written with authority, wit, and empathy, the book serves as a roadmap for real behavioral change - a new way of acting that will help you to reincorporate your most troubling feelings as a source of energy and creativity. It will help you live your most successful life whoever you are and whatever you face.

Susan David, Ph.D., is a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School; and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology, a boutique business consultancy. An in-demand speaker and advisor, David has worked with the senior leadership of hundreds of major organizations, including the United Nations, Ernst & Young, and the World Economic Forum. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Harvard Business Review, Time, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal. Originally from South Africa, she spent 10 years living in Australia, and now lives outside of Boston with her family.

Emotional Agility
Penguin General
Author: Susan David, Ph.D.
RRP: $35