Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan has become a popular guide to happiness and well-being, offering a system of mindfulness-based emotional intelligence tools. Not only has it been a New York Times bestseller, but it has won an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Online Booksellers Association. Written by a Google engineer credited with creating the company’s renowned Search Inside Yourself program that teaches mindfulness and emotional intelligence, Tan introduces readers to a range of profound insights that can help enhance quality of life and improve performance.
Search Inside Yourself consists of two parts. The main part consists of several chapters devoted to the science and practice of mindfulness, and the seven skills of emotional intelligence. Tan emphasizes the importance of developing mindfulness and emotional intelligence over the long term, proposing that mastering these skills can help bring success and contentment in work, relationships, and life in general.
In the first part of the book, Tan takes readers back to his experience as an engineer at Google, where he was struck by the way his colleagues were able to stay focused on the task at hand and remain unruffled during difficult times. He soon discovered that the secret of this efficiency was a mastery of mindfulness and emotional intelligence. In exploring this further, he discovered that he could help other people improve their lives and those around them in a very powerful way.
The second part of the book is dedicated to demonstrating how mindfulness and emotional intelligence can be practiced in daily life. Tan provides detailed instructions for each of the seven skills of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, motivation, empathy, communication, relationships and decision-making. He also explains how to cultivate mindfulness-based skills such as meditation, self-observation, and self-reflection.
The various practices Tan covers are designed to help tap into a deeper wisdom and become a more caring, considerate and understanding self. In addition, he focuses on how to become intimate with one’s own emotions and create a sense of belonging and connection with other people. He also offers insights into how developing emotional intelligence can help one to become a better leader and partner.
Overall, Search Inside Yourself offers a comprehensive yet concise guide to mindfulness and emotional intelligence. It presents a system of simple and accessible tools that can help people find balance and happiness in work, life, and relationships. Tan’s approach is practical, helping readers to recognize the limitations of their egos and discover the potential for joy and fulfillment in any situation. With its accessible style and clear explanations, Search Inside Yourself is an invaluable read for anyone looking to enhance their emotional intelligence and well-being.
