Adversity Quotient (AQ) – How does one develop it ??

In the late 1800s, a boy was working in a London store. He had to rise at 5 o’clock each morning, sweep the store and then work 14 hours. He stood it for 2 years and then told his mother that he would kill himself if he had to continue.

Following his talk with his mother, the boy wrote a pathetic letter to a teacher he had in his early years and whom he respected. He explained how he was heartbroken and no longer wanted to live. The teacher replied to him praising him as a person and assuring him that he was greatly gifted.

This letter of encouragement changed the boy’s entire life. He went on to become one of England’s most successful writers, authoring nearly 80 books. His name is H.G. Wells!

Similarly, as so many times and in so many different ways, there were people who guided, inspired and motivated us. There were people who helped us in our adverse moments both in the professional and personal spheres.

Let us take a moment as we read this to bless and thank them in spirit.
Let us also introspect if we are persons who add to the joy of people by affirming and encouraging them?
Or are we adding to the unhappiness and sorrow in people by constantly nagging and criticizing them…?
Can we be angels in their lives?
Here I share with you, dear readers, one of the best articles I ever read on developing AQ.

According to psychologists, there are four types of intelligence:

• Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
• Emotional Quotient (EQ)
• Social Quotient (SQ)
• Adversity Quotient (AQ)

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

This is the measure of your comprehension ability – to solve maths, memorise things and recall subject matters.

Emotional Quotient (EQ)

This is the measure of your ability to maintain peace with others, to be punctual, responsible, honest; respect boundaries; be humble, genuine and considerate.

Social Quotient (SQ)

This is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.
People who have higher EQ and SQ tend to go farther in life than those with high IQ but low EQ and SQ. Most schools capitalise on improving the IQ level while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.
Your EQ represents your character; your SQ represents your charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs but more especially your EQ and SQ.
EQ and SQ make one manage better than the other.
Pls don’t teach children only to have higher IQ , but also to have higher EQ and SQ.

Now there is a 4th one.

A new paradigm.

The Adversity Quotient (AQ)

The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life and come out without losing your mind.
AQ determines who will give up in face of troubles and may abandon their families.
In the current context of the coronavirus pandemic, many professionally successful people are going through bouts of depression. This is because they haven’t seen such a situation and, thus, are unprepared for adversity.

To parents:

Expose children to other areas of life than just academics. They should also be equipped to adore manual work, sport and art.
Develop their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of their parents.
Finally, do not prepare the road for the children. Prepare the children for the road….

Adversity Quotient is the need of the hour.

God bless our ailing world.

Reena Charles
Ek Ehsaas Foundation ( EEF) Delhi.