Impressions Management

Throughout your day, consciously practice pausing before reacting to strong impressions or feelings, especially those that are negative or disturbing. When you experience a strong emotional reaction, resist the urge to act or speak immediately. Instead, take a deep breath and create a space for reflection. Ask yourself: "What is the source of this impression? Is it based on accurate information or only a biased judgment? Do I fully have all the information?" Do you tend to judge other people from past traumas that you are now projecting? Are you 100% sure that it's not you? Question the validity of your initial assessment. How can I react more favorably and fairly, if needed?" Epictetus said, "It's not things that upset us, but rather our opinions about things.” How can consistently managing your impressions lead to greater emotional stability and more rational responses? What does it mean about you, and understanding others better, to lead a more effective life?