ASH 2019: The importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for a Myeloma Patient, Caregiver, and Coach

Dr. Rick Stevenson, a filmmaker and philosopher, was the guest speaker at a program hosted by Bristol Myers Squibb at the 61^st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in Orlando. Dr. Stevenson, a filmmaker and philosopher, had conducted 5500 personal interviews concerning emotional development with children from six continents, and his topic was ”Emotional Intelligence: Your Most Valuable Asset”.  As an Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse, myeloma patient, and coach for Myeloma Crowd, I was intrigued by this topic and wondered, “What does Emotional Intelligence (EQ) have to do with myeloma and its treatment?” Within a few moments, I found myself mesmerized by the lively discussion concerning Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and quickly realized that it has everything to do with it. 

What is Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is your most valuable asset
• It is who you are, and what you are meant to be
• The ultimate goal of emotional intelligence (EQ) is not to escape feelings and emotions but to allow yourself to experience and process them and then put them to work for you as you become the master of your emotions, rather than the victim 

How do you develop your Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

• Know yourself
• Recognize that your personal story matters
• Learn to read your own body and emotions and focus on that which you can control
• Your emotions are the windows to your soul, and they never lie to you 
• Be the master of your emotions and not the victim 
• Think about yourself as an individual and get to know yourself
• Ask yourself: “How can I be better?" “How do I deal with change?” “How do I deal with uncertainty?” “Who do I want to be?” 
• Reflect on whether you are going to be the main character in your own stories or are you going to allow yourself to become a secondary character in someone else’s story
• Recognize what you can and cannot control and do not try to control something that you cannot control

What does Emotional Intelligence (EQ) enable you to do?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) lets you do the following:

• Tell the most difficult story you will ever tell, your own, and develop the tools to tell any story
• Be in touch with your own emotions 
• Know who you are and what you want to be
• Continue caring even though it may be difficult
• Talk through complex, painful issues
• Be able to identify and articulate your greatest longings and your greatest fears 

How does Emotional Intelligence (EQ) impact a myeloma patient, caregiver, or Coach?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) enables a myeloma patient, caregiver, or coach to do the following:

• Deal more effectively with the physical and emotional challenges of myeloma
• Be 100% connected with him or herself, which will enable the patient, caregiver, or coach to cope better as an individual with the challenges of myeloma
• Be more self aware and better able to relate to others who are also impacted by myeloma 

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is an important quality for myeloma patients, caregivers, and coaches to develop. It can be learned, and it is an extremely valuable asset to have when dealing with the complexities of myeloma.

Thank you to our Myeloma Coach ASH 2019 sponsors: