React with the Outcome in Mind

Event → Reaction → Outcome

Intuitively, we respond this way. This is our fast, automatic, intuitive self. And given a bad event where we also lose control, we argue vehemently against the person who triggered the bad event — to defend our position, and often our ego.

Everyone loses.

Only if we can learn to catch ourselves (our thought processes, triggers, and emotions) at the heat of the moment, and let our deliberate, analytical, rational self take charge, we might be able to respond towards the outcome we want.

What’s exceptional?

Event → OUTCOME → Reaction

I still often struggle with this myself, because reacting is way too easy and fast. However one benefit I found with working remotely is that I am able to catch my words, emotions, and facial expressions more easily that if it’s face-to-face.

Maximize our current setting to build this habit of slowing down your responses. This might just save you a lot of professional and personal relationships down the line.