There’s a Bob at every party. Someone convinced he’s a master of emotional intelligence, but blind to his own blind spots. The real irony? The more certain we are of our emotional savvy, the more likely we’re missing the mark. After years as a psychologist, I’ve learned that true emotional wisdom is quiet, humble, and always curious. The moment we start explaining our EQ to others is the moment we’ve become Bob ourselves.

Imagine your eight-year-old self looking at you now. Would they beam with pride at the realization of long-held dreams? Or would they wonder where the adventurous spirit and wild imagination had gone? Would they recognize the core of who they are in the adult you've become?

This article offers some tips to finding your way back to what you really love.