Habit of Mind: Managing Impulsivity

Habit of Mind:

Managing Impulsivity

What does it mean to be impulsive?

"If someone is impulsive, it means that they act on instinct, without thinking decisions through."

(https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/impulsive)

Managing impulsivity means recognizing when to think first, and then act.

"If you worked for an entire year to save money for a car and then suddenly decided to spend it all on an outfit instead, that would be an impulsive purchase."

Discuss: Can you think of any specific situations where this habit of mind would be important?

Think first, then act when...

• you are angry
• a friend tells you an important or emotional secret
• you are taking an exam
• you are in class
• you are at your job
• you are shopping

etc...

(https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/impulsive)

Sometimes acting on impulse means the difference between life and death. If you’re walking across a road and a car is speeding toward you, there’s no time to stand around thinking of what to do. An impulse tells you to leap out of the way and you follow it without questioning. Sometimes, though, impulsive behavior can cause lasting, serious consequences.

Spiritual Application

Peer Advisory Leaders

March 2017

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. [...] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the bad I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.[...] What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

-Romans 7:14-25

Examples of self-control:

Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife. (See Genesis 39)

David not killing Saul when he had opportunity. (See 1 Samuel Chapters 24 and 26)

Jesus when He resisted temptations in wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11)

Jesus waiting three days, and not going to Lazarus before he died. Emotion did not dictate His actions. (See John 11)

Jesus’ sinlessness. (Hebrews 4:15)

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”

1 Thessalonians 5:6

http://devotionalchristian.com/self-control-bible-verses/

In the Bible, managing impulsivity is referred to as the fruit of the spirit self-control.

Passages of consequence with a lack of self-control:

Eve and Adam eat forbidden fruit–disobey God. (See Genesis 3:17-19)

Cain kills Abel–does not control his envy and jealousy. (See Genesis 4)

Moses strikes the rock–doesn’t control impatience. (See Numbers 20:1-12)

David’s adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (See 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Chp.14)

Peter’s impulsive blow to soldier’s ear when Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. (See Luke 22:49-51)

“Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

http://devotionalchristian.com/self-control-bible-verses/

How Impulsive are You?

"Do you tend to think first and act later, or are you prone to impulsive behavior? Or does it depend on the situation? A few questions will give you the answer:

• Do you plan ahead, or do you make decisions on the spot?
• Do you feel strong urges to do things that are hard to resist?
• Do you feel alive only when you are doing something thrilling or dangerous?"

Presented By

Mrs. Amanda Paez

Tips for Controlling Your Impulses

• "Walk away from something you want to buy on impulse. It will still be waiting for you later, after you’ve had time to think over the purchase.
• Take a deep breath or talk with a thoughtful friend before impulsively yelling at someone out of anger.
• Practice calming strategies, such as muscle relaxation, yoga and exercise such as jogging.
• Write a list of pros and cons of a tough decision before acting.
• Make a mental outline of what you want to say before saying it.
• Do some research on a purchase, decision or a proposal before you act on it."

https://well.wvu.edu/articles/dealing_with_impulsive_behavior

Resources

How does managing impulsivity apply to success in leadership and life?

• http://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/resources/quotes/hom-quotes/2-managing-impulsivity/
• http://www.nscsd.org/webpages/hmind/index.cfm?subpage=51876
• http://nashvillepubliclibrary.org/bringingbookstolife/2013/01/28/habits-of-mind-managing-impulsivity/
• https://www.edutopia.org/blog/habits-of-mind-terrell-heick
• http://www.thinkingandlearninginconcert.org/presentations/presentationdocuments/2007yarrambatps_2.pdf
• https://www.ted.com/talks/joachim_de_posada_says_don_t_eat_the_marshmallow_yet

Joachim DePosada

"Don't Eat the Marshmallow..yet!"