In life you will face challenges, opposition, frustration, and difficult circumstances. There are two ways of handling such events, you can either respond or react.
re·spond
re·act
The definitions clearly state a difference. A response is an answer. It’s something thought out and done with purpose. A reaction is something that is at a primal level and more instinct than thought. The definition of “response ” includes the word “react”, yet it is coupled with the word favorable to counter act the negativity of “react”.
Are you living in “reaction” mode or “response” mode. I have found when I am at my best I respond to issues with a solution mentality. When I am struggling I am reacting in survival mode. This may be the reason we call our fire fighters and policement “first responders” and not “first reactors”. We want people who are answering the call to a challenge and not acting in opposition to the challenge.
Where are you? How do you naturally face challenges with your business, your children? What about the daily occurences and annoyances? When something doesn’t go as planned, do you respond or react?
Over the next few days take notice of your physical, verbal, and mental behaviors in small and big situations? You’ll learn a lot about yourself. Ask your co-workers, your friends, and even your spouse how you answer the demands of the day. It’s better to know how your replies to life’s questions truly are versus how you think they are. You cannot change what you do not know needs changing. You cannot know unless you ask.
Till next time – be a responder
Joseph Cortez 