Due to the speed of life, we often come across events that require us to act right away. A rude comment from a coworker, an unexpected setback, or even something as easy as getting stuck in traffic could be the cause. When these things happen, our first reaction might be to act without thinking, because we’re feeling angry, frustrated, or scared. However, there is a big difference between reacting and knowing how to respond. This difference can change our lives in huge ways.
Responding Vs. Reacting
It’s natural to react, and feelings often drive us to do so. It’s a reaction that comes up without much thought or consideration. Whenever we respond, we let our feelings take over, which can make us do or say things we may later regret. When we react, it can make problems worse, hurt relationships, and make it harder to think straight.
Responding, on the other hand, requires careful thought, awareness, and purpose. Choosing to stop, think, and figure out the best thing to do before moving forward is a choice. When we react, our higher cognitive functions come into play. This lets us think about the situation from different points of view, analyze it, and pick a response that fits with our values and goals.
So why should we strive to respond rather than react?
Keeping your emotions in check
Reacting to things based on passing feelings can send you through a roller coaster of highs and lows. By choosing how to react, we can keep our emotions stable and in check, which helps us deal with problems with more strength and calm.
Keeping relationships strong
Acting on impulse can put stress on relationships and cause fights that aren’t necessary. When we react with care, we show that we understand, care about, and respect others, which leads to healthier and deeper connections.
Making Well-Informed Choices
Making hasty and bad choices when you’re angry or upset is a common habit. By responding, we give ourselves a chance to learn more, think about our choices, and make decisions that are well-informed and logical.
Developing Self-Control
Acting without thinking can make us feel helpless and out of control. When we respond, on the other hand, we take control of our actions and behavior, which gives us a greater sense of self-control and choice.
Helping People Grow and Learn
No matter how hard something is, it can be used to help people grow and learn. We can learn important lessons from our experiences and grow as people when we react with awareness and purpose.
It’s not always easy to learn how to reply instead of react. You need to be self-aware, have emotional intelligence, and practice it. But the rewards are much greater than the work that needs to be done. We can change how we deal with the challenges of life and find more happiness, success, and satisfaction by embracing the power of response.
If you ever find yourself in a tough spot, remember how powerful your reaction can be. Before you do anything, take a deep breath, stop, and think about your choices. You’ll not only be in charge of your own life, but you’ll also help make the world a better place by being thoughtful, understanding, and compassionate.
See how a Modern Observer Group coach can help you develop the mindset to respond. Schedule a call here or contact us at the information below. Modern Observer Group programs are based on the Businetiks system as detailed in the book, “The Businetiks Way.”
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