Think Before You Act

Thinking after acting makes as much sense as a carpenter who cuts first and then measures. Once cut, a board cannot be made longer. Actions, once taken, can't be undone. A skilled carpenter measures carefully before cutting. Being prudent means thinking before acting.

Thinking before acting is responding. This is where your behavior is well thought out and planned. Just because someone else acts does not compel you to react. Thinking puts reason before emotion.

Without a consciously thought-out response, you revert to a knee jerk reaction. This is your default automatic behavior. What do you say or do when upset, frustrated, or angry? It's common to become trapped in the same patterns of reactive behavior. Other people will pick up on this and use it to manipulate you.

Since emotions cloud your ability for clear thinking, take time to calm down whenever you are upset. Acting in haste bypasses the thinking stage. Rarely is there a pressing need to act immediately. More time is on your side than you realize.

Once you are calm, you are in a position to begin assessing your situation. Start by answering a few questions. What happened? Does it really matter? Do you need to respond at all? What are you trying to accomplish? The objective answers stimulate your thinking process.

Not only do you want to formulate an appropriate strategy for your response, you also need to keep things in perspective. "Don't sweat the small stuff," should always be kept in mind. Many circumstances, which at first seem upsetting, are insignificant when compared to the big picture of your life. These situations typically require little or no action. You can just let them go.

When action is necessary, keep your objective in mind. Know what it is you are looking to accomplish. Consider all of the options available to you. Identify the pros and cons for each option. Objectivity is essential. It may be helpful bouncing your thoughts off a neutral person who you trust.

Before deciding on your appropriate response, make sure you gather all of the facts directly from the source. Using second or third hand information as a basis for your decisions is a faulty strategy which leads to erroneous conclusions. Realizing a short-term gain at a long-term expense is self-defeating.

Take care not to burn bridges if possible. You never know what circumstances and people you will encounter in the future. Well thought out action is more likely to solve problems and preserve relationships than an emotionally fueled reaction.

Actions have consequences. Think things through from different perspectives. What impact will your actions have on the various people and situations involved? Are you acting in your best interest or is there some desire for retribution? Your actions should improve your circumstances, not make them worse.

Before deciding on a particular course of action, run the different options through "what if scenarios." This approach forces you to consider all of the various cause and effect relationships. You want to anticipate what impact your action will have so you are not caught by surprise. How will other people react? What action will they take? What are the benefits and liabilities to you?

A well thought out response gives you the best chance of taking appropriate action which yields the desired results. Use these suggestions to help you think before you act.

Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at: Bryan@columnist.com. Or visit: www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com Copyright 2026 Bryan Golden