Reasons
Why do you act the way you do? Have you ever asked yourself the same thing after you snapped at someone, bit your tongue when you should have spoken up or told a white lie for no apparent reason?
Why do we over-react? Why do we take it too far? Why do we buy into our own crap? How do we justify our worst behaviour? Moreover, do you have someone in your life that is toxic or selfish whose behaviour you just can’t get your head around?
We may all act and react differently, but we all use the same framework. Everything you say, do or think is based on 3 simple ingredients; Your intentions, your perceptions and your resources.
- Intentions – You act to achieve that you want or to avoid what you don’t want. Your intentions are influenced by your goals, needs, values, dreams, desires.
- Perceptions – The way you view the world. The stories you make up about what other people think of you and expect from you. The way you view yourself; your weaknesses and strengths. Your past experiences that have taught you what to expect from the world.
- Resources – The time, money and energy you have at your disposal. The mental tenacity, the hope, the self belief you have. The physical tools you have access to. The networks you can tap into. The ways and means you have of getting what you want and need.
Nobody does something they know to be a bad idea unless they believe (perceive) they don’t have any other option (not enough resources) to get what they want (intention). So the simplest way to avoid making dubious decisions is to understand, and tweak, the basis of your decision making. There is always more than one way to skin a cat.
