Gut Reactions & Why You Shouldn’t Automatically Trust Them

By Brian Maynor

 

“Trust your gut.” We’ve all been given that sage advice at some point in time and on many occasions it has been proven completely accurate, but is our gut completely infallible?

So often gut reactions are instant, strong and feel visceral and instinctive rather than conscious and reasoned responses, but for many people still serve as a barometer on how to proceed in a situation. Unfortunately these impressions may not be impressions at all, but rather automatic responses to emotional triggers of our own insecurities.

The key to distinguishing between accurate first impressions and emotional auto-responses is objectivity and here are a few tips to help you along the way:

 

1.    Recognizing the differences. First impressions are reasoned opinions drawn from observation and experience. They are based on facts, feelings and interpretation of both verbal and nonverbal communication and often are devoid of strong emotions.

Automatic responses to deep seeded insecurities are instant and very emotional reactions to someone or something around you. Often these reactions are accompanied with elevated heart rates and blood pressure; flight, fight or freeze reactions and poorly planned or thought out decisions.

 

2.    Managing our responses. Automatic responses may feel uncontrollable, but that could not be farther from the truth. When you feel intense emotions, often anger, before you respond take a second to STOP.

a.   Step back from the immediate situation to eject your autopilot and start thinking again;

b.   Take a moment to notice the event, action or reason your emotions were triggered;

c.   Organize your choices of action so you can make a conscious decision about what to do next, and

d.   Proceed with a more rational and objective mindset.

 

3.    Practice makes perfect. Keeping a level head in a heated moment is not easy to do or something that comes natural to many of us, but a little practice and preparation go a long way.

a.   Identify your default responses. These are fairly easy to find when you think of the challenging situations you face every day. Some of the most common default responses are interrupting; becoming overly aggressive or passive; micro-managing or jumping to negative conclusions and judgments.

b.   Plan ahead. After identifying your defaults play out various scenarios in your mind where you can practice recognizing and overriding them. This exercise will give you a 2-3 time greater chance of succeeding in the actual encounter.

c.   Structure your schedule. We all have high points and low points of self control and mapping those throughout the day or week will help you set meetings at appropriate times when your control is at its best.

 

First impressions and gut reactions are not always bad or faulty and often save us time, energy and frustration when we deal with recurring situations or behaviors. Complications arise when we react to a new situation in a conditioned way. Life, especially in a work environment, is dynamic and often unpredictable; two variables that reek havoc on gut reactions.

 

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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyborads at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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