Emotional Agility

Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life

by Susan David, PhD

4.6(3,846 ratings)

11 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how our inner thoughts and emotions form powerful chains that can either trap us or help us grow. It introduces a practical framework for breaking free from unhealthy patterns, showing how to step back, align with personal values, and move forward. By the end, you’ll see that true well-being comes from embracing all of your feelings and using them as a guide toward positive change.

Introduction

**Emotions are like signposts** that point toward what truly matters in our lives. Yet most of us are never taught how to respond sensibly to unpleasant thoughts or overwhelming feelings. Instead, we push them down or get stuck focusing on them to the point of exhaustion.

Emotional agility is about recognizing these patterns and learning to respond in ways that help us grow. The idea is to move from a place of autopilot reactivity to a more conscious, flexible approach. Think of it like developing mental and emotional fitness. Our capacity to adapt, to see a bigger picture, and to walk through discomfort rather than avoid it is what makes this skill set so powerful.

Throughout these pages, you’ll find stories and examples that illustrate how we get **hooked** by old habits and rigid thinking. You’ll also discover easy-to-practice steps to unhook by showing up to your emotions, stepping out from under their grip, and acting on the values that mean the most to you.

Growth begins the moment you allow yourself to feel, rather than flee, your emotions.

The Power of Flexibility

Life throws curveballs—job stress, relationship troubles, unexpected changes—and it’s easy to activate our mental autopilot. We rely on knee-jerk reactions that might have been formed decades earlier. When this happens, we become **rigid**, locking ourselves into the same unhelpful responses.

Being emotionally agile means building **psychological flexibility** to respond to life’s twists and turns. Flexibility allows you to see both your immediate feelings and your bigger picture goals. By treating your emotions as data rather than as directives, you learn that feeling upset doesn’t mean you have to act upset.

Alongside flexibility is the recognition that discomfort is not necessarily a problem. Discomfort can nudge us to pay attention. If we can remain open and curious about these signals, we can adapt, grow, and choose our path with more clarity and confidence.

"The map is not the territory."

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What is Emotional Agility about?

"Emotional Agility" by Susan David, PhD, offers a transformative journey towards understanding and navigating one's emotions to foster personal growth and lifelong fulfillment. Emphasizing a novel approach, David presents a profound framework that encourages embracing rather than evading our emotions. From the discomfort of vulnerability to the thrill of authentic engagement, each segment of this book sheds light on the intrinsic role emotions play in our lives.

Central to the book is the innovative method of unhooking from negative self-stories and aligning one's actions with true values. By urging readers to acknowledge their emotional patterns, Dr. David guides them towards lasting changes that align with their aspirations. With practical exercises and heartfelt narratives, "Emotional Agility" serves as both a companion and a guide through life's challenges, advocating for a life where emotional understanding leads the way to personal triumph.

This must-read text is a beacon for those seeking deeper emotional insight and greater alignment with their inner truth. It stands out by seamlessly weaving science with compassion, making its teachings applicable and resonant for all who strive for a life lived authentically and with purpose.

Review of Emotional Agility

"Emotional Agility" is a profound blueprint for personal transformation, brilliantly crafted by Susan David, PhD. This book excels in presenting a practical yet deeply enriching approach to understanding and harnessing the power of emotions in everyday life. What sets it apart is the emphasis on emotional awareness not as a challenge to be subdued but as a resource to be valued and utilized.

David's strength lies in her ability to distill complex psychological concepts into relatable, actionable insights. Through an engaging narrative, she elucidates how emotional agility enables us to break free from limiting beliefs and develop more meaningful relationships with ourselves and those around us. This approach is effortlessly practical, providing readers with the tools to apply emotional intelligence in both personal and professional contexts.

The book is written with accessibility in mind, offering clear guidance to readers from varied walks of life. Its relevance spans beyond age or profession, appealing to anyone seeking to improve their emotional literacy. David's compassionate tone creates an engaging reading experience, and her thorough exploration of the topic makes "Emotional Agility" indispensable. Highly recommended for individuals eager to foster resilience, adaptability, and authentic living.

Who should read Emotional Agility?

Psychological enthusiasts: This book provides in-depth insights and practical exercises for those keen to understand the intricacies of human emotion.
Personal development seekers: Individuals on a journey of self-improvement will find Susan David's methodologies effective in fostering growth and realization.
Professionals in leadership roles: Leaders aiming to cultivate emotional intelligence in the workplace will benefit greatly from the strategies outlined in this guide.
Individuals facing life transitions: Those experiencing change will find guidance in using emotions constructively to navigate new paths.
Therapists and counselors: Practitioners can harness the book's frameworks and case studies to enhance their therapeutic approaches.

About the author

Susan David, PhD, is a renowned psychologist and one of the world's leading management thinkers. She is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School, co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology. With over 20 years of experience studying emotions, happiness, and achievement, she has developed the concept of emotional agility, which has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award and Amazon's Best Books of the Year Award. Her work has been featured in leading publications such as the Harvard Business Review, Time, and the Wall Street Journal.