Stop taking decision in emotionally overwhelming situation

abhishek thakur
Jul 10, 2017 · 3 min read

Overwhelmed is a situation in which you are either over excited or over depressed & according to human psychology both conditions are same. In both situations our heart beats faster & We are not able to think too much. So, One should avoid taking decision in those conditions.

What can we do about that:

1: Delay

Delay until my mind is cool & calm.

I will try to understand that my mind is not at proper state & it is best to delay at current moment. How do I know I am overwhelmed or not ? I do one thing, there is one filter from which I pass everything before making decision, that am I breathing normally?. If I am breathing too fast or too heavily I know it’s not a great time to confirm anything. So, I delay. I know it doesn’t seems the greatest way of handling things but for a short span it’s a good way. (it’s a good temporary solution)

2: If you have to take a decision.(Instant decision is required)

Go in opposite direction.

What to do in case when I have to take sudden action. There is a way, focus on opposite thing. Like if I am too positive(state of mind is excited) then think/visualise -ve & if I am too negative(state of mind is depressed), then think/visualise +ve. Ex: Like I have achieved anything great and at that moment I am so vulnerable, I might accept anything.

Like one of my colleague get best employee of the year award in the firm but when it came to yearly appraisal at next day, managers convinced him to work on less hike. How? Because he was so overwhelmed by the situation that he forget what was his priority.

He should think about how much the firm has earned from him instead living in the award moment(in the past). (It is also a temporary way)

3: Longer way

Mindful way

I tried to be mindful in every situation. I try to see things as they are. But mindfulness take long time to be a part of life. It’s basically living a moment, not thinking about future too much or living in the past too much. So, most of the time you are free from worries because in the world of worries there exist no worries. It’s just moment & Nature doesn’t judge moment in category of good or bad. All are just moments & they all pass.

One thing that helped me to be mindful is meditation. Daily meditation for 15–20 minutes & few mindful exercise like brushing my teeth & eating mindfully (just focus on eating & brushing).

After following these for few days I understood that Mindful way is the best way.

Thanks for reading,

abhishek thakur

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