Reacting Versus Responding to Life’s Challenges
There are many people that react to any kind of obstacle, setback, or challenge. Reactions are reflexive, ego-driven, and only consider the short-term outcome. Reactions make you feel better, but don’t resolve an issue effectively.
Responding is different. It’s intelligent, practical, and considers the long-term implications of that course of action. It’s the pause you take to think through a situation.
People that react struggle and are known for making impulsive decisions. Those that respond have fewer struggles in life. As it turns out, the biggest hassles in life are usually of your own making.
Let’s consider an example that highlights the differences between reacting and responding:
Imagine that you have a horrible boss. Today at work, he berates you for something that isn’t your fault. He calls you a mean name. He says that you’re a worthless employee. You leave work enraged and convinced that you can’t take it anymore. This could be your spouse, child, colleague you can figure one out that you can remember.
Reacting to this situation might entail quitting in a blaze of glory. You march in the next day and tell him exactly what you think of him. You might even bang at his table, stomp on his foot, and throw your resignation letter at the boss.
However, when you get home, you realize that the job market is tight, you have no savings, and no plan B.
Responding to this situation might look something like this:
You determine that you need to find another job. You work on your resume. You put out feelers to everyone you know that have or know of a position that’s suitable for you. You get in touch with a recruiter and let them know that you’re looking.
You also cut back on your expenses and save some money just in case you lose your job.
One of these options is short-sighted and risky. The other is thoughtful and logical. One is likely to end in misery, while the other is likely to end in success.
Our lives are about managing our emotions and the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is a skill that you can gain and build so that you can make your life more successful. Can you strengthen your odds of success when challenges arise?
Following this process will help you respond rather than react:
- Steady yourself. It’s hard to be intelligent, logical, and practical when your emotions are high. Never make an important decision when you’re not cool and collected. Take the time you need. Mull it over. Consider your options.
- Identify the problem. What is the issue that you need to resolve? Think about what you want to change. Avoid changing a bunch of other things that may have a negative impact on your life. In the example above, you’d get away from your boss, but drastically change your income, too.
- Be clear on the outcome you desire. It’s just as important to consider the outcome you desire. You might hate your job, but you don’t just want to get away from it. You’ll want a good landing place where you not only improve your income but also grow in your career or profession.
- Create a plan that resolves your issue and gives you the outcome you desire (make a smart plan). Reacting only removes the initial problem. It doesn’t provide a great outcome. A good plan does both.
- Execute the plan. There are many people that are great at making plans, but never execute them. You don’t want to be one of those people. Put your plan to the test and see what happens.
If you’re someone that reacts to the challenges in your life, you already know the additional challenges it can bring. It’s the perfect example of “out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
Avoid making decisions when you’re upset. Calm yourself first. Then make an intelligent and thoughtful decision that will remove that challenge from your life in a way that leaves you better than you started. Life is much easier this way.
