Defusing Your Reactions

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]It's Friday, so take this with you. A little trick you can use whenever you're frustrated or overwhelmed.

[00:00:07]It's so simple that the very act of remembering to do it can save you weeks of regret from a momentary mistake.

[00:00:15]This works well if you're in conflict with someone or feeling anxious about something or you're tempted to ride circumstantial momentum into a habit that isn't healthy for you.

[00:00:24]>> [music] >> Instead of reacting, pause, breathe, and choose.

[00:00:30]I told you it was simple, but I've seen this simple tool be a lifeline for myself, my team, and my clients.

[00:00:37]When life feels like [music] it's trying to impose something on you that you don't want or pressurize you into making a choice you know will not serve you right, the temptation is to react and not respond. [music] To go with where the momentum is taking you.

[00:00:54]At that moment, change the decision you're making. Don't jump to the choice.

[00:00:59]Instead, disrupt momentum by choosing to pause.

[00:01:03]In that liminal space, you haven't said yes or no to the choice you're being offered, but you've done something clever. You've defused the reaction.

[00:01:11]So now, whatever choice you make is conscious and coming from a conscious place. Our shadows are no longer in control running things. Pause, breathe, choose.

[00:01:24]Try it. I wrote a Substack article about how you can stand up for yourself without becoming defensive.

[00:01:31]Follow me there for more.