zest

The Benefits of Zest

In a wonderful post on enthusiasm, blogger and real-estate investor Matt Theriault (“The Do-Over Guy”) lists the benefits of zest :

• It makes life more fun.  “It’s like an inner light,” Theriaul says, “an inner energy, and it really makes life easier.”
• It’s attractive to people.  “Enthusiasm is probably one of the most attractive qualities any person can have.”
• It makes you want to do things, and then you get better results and fulfill more of the potential of any situation or experience.
• It makes for powerful communication.  It makes your message stronger.
• It gets things done.  “Enthusiasm is the switch.”

zest

Why is zest important?

Zest and vitality correlate with autonomy and relatedness. Vitality may also  be a cause and effect of health and well-being.

zest

Observing Zest

Zest may look like extroversion, but anyone can exhibit the behaviors of zest, regardless of their normal tendency to be introverted or extroverted. Exhibiting zest could involve:

•  Actively participating by asking questions or listening closely
•  Showing enthusiasm through smiles or excited comments
•  Approaching new situations with excitement and energy
•  Invigorating others around you.
  

zest

Zest:

sometimes referred to as vitality,

 is an approach to life filled with excitement and energy.

social intelligence

What does social intelligence look like?

People with high levels of social intelligence have an awareness of other people’s feelings and motives and use this understanding to navigate social situations appropriately, whereas those low on social intelligence are less attuned to other people’s feelings and perspectives. For instance, someone displaying socially intelligent behavior would recognize a shift in someone’s tone or demeanor and might adjust his or her own behavior accordingly.

• Find solutions during conflicts with others
• Demonstrate respect for the feelings of others
• Adapt to different social situations

social intelligence

Social intelligence is the capacity to effectively negotiate complex social relationships and environments. PsychologistNicholas Humphrey believes that it is social intelligence, rather than quantitative intelligence, that defines humans. Social scientist Ross Honeywill believes social intelligence is an aggregated measure of self- and social-awareness, evolved social beliefs and attitudes, and a capacity and appetite to manage complex social change.

The original definition by Edward Thorndike in 1920 is "the ability to understand and manage men and women, boys and girls, to act wisely in human relations". It is equivalent to interpersonal intelligence, one of the types of intelligence identified in Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and closely related to theory of mind.