You’ve just been hit with a fistful of words and your immediate reaction is to hit back with a barrage of your own.

Austrian psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, once said “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

Being so reactionary, with your fists raised, isn’t the best way to be. It just escalates the situation.

So … what is an alternative response?

My suggestion is to activate your internal ‘pause’ button.

How would it work?

Hitting your pause button means:

• Slowing down
• Taking a deep breath
• Listening and taking in the situation
• Evaluating – does what you are thinking need to be said or done?
• Projecting – what are the possible outcomes of your first, impulsive reaction?
• Centering – thinking clearly and thoughtfully
• Pressing play

What do these few seconds or longer afford you?

This precious time allows you to think of, and consider, options … after really listening, of course:)

It also moves your reaction from your Lizard Brain to your prefrontal cortex, where you think more clearly and make better decisions.

You can also consider whether you are just reacting to someone else pushing your buttons. Remember the other person may be very skilled at that because of your reactions in the past.

The bottom line, is that hitting your pause button will help you to Respond rather then React.

It will replace quick, unconscious and extreme reactions with slow, conscious and balanced responses.

Jeanette