21 quick and easy ways to boost your emotional intelligence

• Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to identify and manage your and others' emotions.
• Research suggests that high EQ helps people succeed at work and in relationships.
• There are plenty of easy ways to improve your EQ right away. For example: Learn what sets you off, assign specific names to your emotions, and give people the benefit of the doubt.

The term "emotional intelligence" dates back to a scientific paper published in 1990 — but interest in the topic didn't explode until psychologist and former New York Times reporter Daniel Goleman wrote a book about it a few years later.

Emotional intelligence (sometimes known as EQ) is the ability to identify and manage emotions — your own and other people's. Research suggests that high EQ helps people succeed at work and in relationships, and even helps them stay healthy. (Still, while Goleman and other experts say EQ predicts performance even better than cognitive ability, others aren't convinced.)

Psychologists say improving your EQ isn't easy — but if you're motivated and brave enough to find out how other people really see you, you'll likely see positive changes.

Below, we've listed some of the easiest and most practical ways to start developing your emotional intelligence muscle — today.

SEE ALSO: 15 things you're doing that make people dislike you immediately

Pick one area to improve in

Goleman recommends trying to improve one facet of emotional intelligence at a time. For example, maybe you want to get better at reading other people, or maybe you want to get better at introspection.

Writing on LinkedIn, Goleman advises asking yourself: "Where would I improve the most if I could enhance one competency?"

Surround yourself with people who don't necessarily agree with you

Once you've homed in on an area for improvement, solicit feedback from others on how you can get better. Leadership speaker and author Sara Canaday told CNN that it's important to ask people who may not share your perspective.

Canaday told CNN, "If you constantly surround yourself with people who believe just like you do, then you are hearing the same conversations, and you are not growing, and you are not learning to be open to perspectives."

Find a 'career mirror'

That's a tip from Spencer Rascoff, CEO of real-estate website and app Zillow. Rascoff previously told Business Insider that his wife is his "career mirror," meaning she knows and understands him even better than he knows and understands himself.

Rascoff's wife was the one who knew he was unhappy at his job in finance, and suggested he explore other options.

A close friend or family member can help reflect your emotions back to you when you're unable, or unwilling, to see them.