How to Respond to Any Situation

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Advert

How to Respond to any Situation

Almost always, your best response to a situation should be based upon a logical / rational evaluation of all the available facts.

We call this principle: "Running on reason".

We need to avoid any traces of irrational or illogical thinking. If you evaluate situations using NON-logical ways of thinking, then you will very likely mess-up.

In what NON-logical ways do people evaluate events?

Common NON-logical ways to evaluate a situation.

1. According to the majority opinion.

Some people evaluate events according to the majority opinion: They tend to do whatever the majority are doing. They agree with whatever is the majority view.

Is this a good way to evaluate situations? If not, why not?

2. According to what we have always done.

People who take the traditional view, do what they have always done. They are uncritically repeating time-honoured practice.

Is this a good way to evaluate situations? If not, why not?

3. According to a prejudice or preconceived idea.

You uncritically apply an existing preconception or prejudice to the situation and you never think to check your preconceptions.

Is this a good way to evaluate situations? If not, why not?

4. According to whatever is the easiest.

You take the easy way out of every situation. A quick fix.

Is this a good way to go about things? If not, why not?

5. According a "Snap judgement".

You do whatever you happen to think of first. You know that you "have to do something", so you are willing to "try anything and see what happens".

Is this a good way to go about things? If not, why not?

How to make a logical evaluation of the situation.

We suggest you use "A rational, logical evaluation of all the available facts".

Let us look at the question of logical thinking and contrast it to every other type.

• Logic is a system of thought and communication.
• Logical thought is unique. It is different from every other type.
• Logic is NOT guessing, nor fantasising, nor wishing, nor blindly following the majority opinion.

Logical thought is a special kind of thought which is distinguished by the following characteristics.

1. Based upon facts, not feelings.
2. All terms clearly defined using specific language and with the units of measurement explicitly stated.
3. Highly systematic, organised, hierarchical and methodical.
4. Any mathematical and causal relationships are made clear and distinct.
5. Logical thought is highly practical; capable of being put into effect.
6. No guessing, wishing, hoping, or relying on unwarranted assumptions.

We call this: Running on reason.

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion." Thomas Jefferson.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness

• How to Find the Good in any Situation
  Nothing is inherently good or bad. It depends on how you think about it, and how you respond to it. Don't always assume that a certain situation is bad news, learn to re-evaluate it.
  Read Article >
• Take Pride in Yourself
  Don't confuse pride with arrogance. You can feel good about yourself without being big-headed.
  Read Article >
• Be Committed, Consistent and Progressive
  Don't rely on others to improve your current situation. Rely on yourself to make your life better. Commit one hundred percent to improving on your current condition.
  Read Article >
• I am too busy
  Are you too busy to be productive? You need to eliminate busyness and initiate more productiveness.
  Read Article >
• How to make the most of your journey to work
  Commuting to work can be tedious and mind-numbingly boring. So, we have put together some suggestions on how you can make the most of your down time stuck in traffic, or waiting for the train. Use your down time to improve yourself.
  Read Article >