Book cover of Emotional Agility by Susan David — critical summary review on 12min

Emotional Agility

Susan David

5.0 (309 ratings)
8 mins

Bestselling author and psychologist Susan David reveals the benefits of living an emotionally agile life in “Emotional Agility.” To achieve our dreams, to lead successful relationships and to be happy, we first need to know ourselves. “Emotional Agility” teaches us how to identify and deal with our emotions, how to find balance in our personal and professional lives and how to achieve our goals. Say goodbye to toxic thoughts and feelings – and hello to a successful and happy life!

Listen to the intro

Who it is for

Best suited for anyone struggling to make sense of their feelings, dreamers, achievers, anyone wishing to live a more fulfilling life.

Key Insights

The Power of Self-Awareness

In 'Emotional Agility,' Susan David emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as the foundational step toward emotional growth. By understanding our emotions, we can better manage them and make more informed decisions. Self-awareness involves recognizing our feelings without judgment and understanding how they influence our thoughts and actions. This insight encourages readers to embrace their emotions as valuable data that can guide them toward personal and professional fulfillment. By cultivating self-awareness, individuals can identify patterns in their behavior and make conscious choices that align with their values and goals.

Embracing Emotional Flexibility

David introduces the concept of emotional agility as the ability to navigate life's ups and downs with flexibility and openness. Instead of getting stuck in rigid patterns of thinking or behavior, emotionally agile individuals adapt to change and respond to challenges with resilience. This flexibility allows them to let go of unhelpful emotions and thoughts, creating space for new perspectives and opportunities. By practicing emotional agility, people can enhance their problem-solving skills, improve their relationships, and foster a more positive outlook on life. It is about moving past emotional blocks to embrace a more dynamic and fulfilling existence.

Aligning Values with Actions

A central theme in 'Emotional Agility' is the alignment of one's actions with their core values. Susan David argues that when individuals understand and prioritize their values, they can live more authentically and purposefully. This alignment acts as a compass, guiding decisions and actions that lead to personal satisfaction and success. By identifying what truly matters, individuals can focus their energy on meaningful pursuits, reducing stress and increasing happiness. This insight encourages readers to reflect on their own values and ensure that their daily choices are in harmony with what they hold dear, paving the way for a more fulfilling life.

Login

Login to your account

Enter your credentials to access your account

Don't have an account? Sign up

About the Author

Susan David is a psychologist at Harvard Medical School, co-founder and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology, a business consulting firm. She wrote the book Emotional Agility, which was named the best leadership book on Amazon in 2016. Susan David, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychologist at Harvard Medical School; co-founder and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital; and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology, a boutique business consultancy. She is the author of the # 1 Wall Street Journal, the best selling book, Emotional Agility based on her concept that the Harvard Business Review announced as the Management Idea of ​the Year and was featured in numerous leading publications including the New York Times, Washington Post and TIME Magazine. Speaker and advisor, David has worked with senior leadership at hundreds of large organizations, including the United Nations, Ernst & Young, and the World Economic Forum.

View author profile

Lessons

  • How repeating an ugly truth to yourself over and over again can help you get over it.
  • Why negative emotions are something to be happy about.
  • Why writing a letter to one’s future self reduces criminality.

Key Takeaways

  • Identify and understand your emotions: Gain self-awareness by recognizing your emotions and understanding their impact on your behavior and decision-making.
  • Embrace change and adaptability: Develop the ability to remain flexible and adapt to life’s challenges, which is crucial for maintaining balance in both personal and professional settings.
  • Eliminate negative thought patterns: Learn how to let go of toxic thoughts and feelings, which can hinder progress, and instead focus on positive and constructive emotions to achieve a successful and fulfilling life.

More knowledge in less time

Listen to the key ideas

We offer various commission schemes from one-time payouts.

Find your next read

12Min is very popular among readers and lifelong learners.

Good Micropaths

12Min's browser-based app works for anyone.

Frequently asked

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about 12min

In the 12min App, we extract the best ideas and insights from the world's best-selling non-fiction books and organize them into unique, self-contained narrative summaries that can be consumed in audio and/or text in about 12 minutes!

You can download our app and start enjoying our library. If for any reason you are not satisfied with our platform, simply contact our support team ([email protected]) within 7 days of purchase and request a refund. You will receive everything you paid for, without questions or bureaucracy.

Yes, but the change will only apply from the next billing period. For example, if you decide to change your monthly subscription to an annual one, after confirming the change to the annual plan, the new plan will only be applied and charged after that month's billing anniversary.

12min Premium is a plan that guarantees you access to our entire library of 2500+ titles available in 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) that you can read or listen to at any time through our app available for iOS, Android, and Computer. You can also read or listen to your favorite titles offline and challenge yourself with a quiz to help you retain the content at the end of each microbook.

Yes, if you decide not to renew your 12min subscription, you can cancel at any time and the next billing cycle will not occur.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected].