How our reactions determine the life we live.

It is important that our life choices are based on our desires. More often than not, our choices are reactive. Intense emotional reactions may lead to decisions that do not truly resonate with us and we may end up in a path that deviates from what we truly desire. How many of us, have at some point, looked back at our life choices and just wondered ‘why’? Our reactions to the events that unfold rather than the events themselves are the key to better problem-solving and self-management. And self-management is a prerequisite to making the right choices. 

Intense emotional reactions may lead to decisions that do not truly resonate with us and we may end up in a path that deviates from what we truly desire.

That’s why emotional management strategies need to be included in therapy or coaching contexts and there are many to choose from: cognitive restructuring, relaxation strategies, imagery / visualization techniques, mindfulness and, of course, hypnosis which I consider as one of the most effective self-control & insightful strategies out there (if done correctly).

Time to reflect about the choices you have made. How many have been governed by strong emotional reactions? Do they express what you truly desire? Did they throw you off track? How many of your current problems are related to decisions you’ve made following failure or anger? Most of us don’t react well to failure and quite a few of us make decisions while fuming or disappointed which we later regret. 

How many of your choices have been governed by strong emotional reactions?

Reflection is the first step. Action, however, needs to follow awareness in order to create the desired change. Knowing without doing is insufficient. Insight that creates momentum and leads to new behaviours is what will create successful moments. So, take that initial step which will steer you back in the direction you would have followed had you not gone astray in the first place. 

Be aware of the impact strong emotional reactions can have on life and regularly remind yourself that:

Our reactions not only determine how we will live our lives but also the kind of life we will live.

This article appeared originally as a Linked in pulse article which you can access here