Emotional Intelligence – Decision Making

I recall reading an article in which President Obama stated that he only wore blue or grey suits. His reason for doing this was that he did not want to make simple decisions about what he was wearing. As President, he felt he had too many other more important decisions to make. Research shows that the act of making decisions erodes your ability to make later decisions. Psychologists call it decision fatigue. It’s why shopping for groceries can be so exhausting.

In 1970, Alvin Toffler wrote a book entitled Future Shock, warning what would happen if people had to deal with enormous amounts of information and choice. Much of what Toffler forecast has become true today, with over choice a reality that we all have to face. Working with young people to make them aware of the pressures of over choice and how to find more simplicity in life is a key part of growing emotional intelligence. This year, staff have been working on some important changes in our approach to Personal Development including growing young people’s self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Current research is used to help students cope with the many pressures of modern living. Thank you to Miss Kim Stone for her leadership in this space.

As an educational institution, we also put constraints on young people by having clear, fair and consistent rules. This means that young people do not have the stress of making some decisions and they can focus on their learning. Like President Obama with his blue or grey suits, the school uniform takes away the pressure of choice in what young people have to wear. At this stage of the year, it is also a timely reminder to check your student’s uniform and see if anything needs replacing for the coming school year.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students