Schools or colleges never teach this life skill. But Ankur Warikoo believes it helps in your growth and emotional well-being

Most of us grow up believing that success comes from IQ, talent, or even luck. But entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo says another skill quietly shapes our growth, relationships, and even self-worth — emotional regulation. In a recent LinkedIn post, he explained why learning to handle emotions is more powerful than chasing intelligence or external achievements, and how it can completely change the way we live and respond to life.

Warikoo pointed out that from childhood, we’re often conditioned to believe our negative emotions are triggered by outside forces — people’s words, unfair circumstances, or events we can’t control. This mindset leaves us helpless, because if the problem is external, we assume we can do nothing about it.

Emotionally mature people, however, take a very different approach. They know that while external situations can’t be controlled, their interpretation of those situations can. It’s the way we frame things in our minds, the inner dialogue we carry, and the meaning we assign to events that ultimately determine our emotional response.


This shift changes everything. Instead of reacting impulsively to life, you begin responding thoughtfully. You take back authorship of your story. Relationships start moving away from blame and toward understanding. Self-worth becomes steadier, no longer fragile or dependent on outside validation. And personal growth becomes a conscious choice, not something left to chance. Warikoo summed it up simply — when you control your story, you control your life.

Internet reacts

Many readers found Ankur Warikoo’s post deeply thought-provoking. Some felt it highlighted just how crucial emotional regulation is in shaping relationships and self-worth, and even asked how someone new to these concepts could begin their journey toward emotional maturity. Others called it a powerful reminder about reclaiming authorship of one’s life and living with more intention. Many agreed that such lessons should be taught in schools, as emotional regulation remains one of the most underrated yet life-changing skills.