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Why Do We Do What We Do?
Did you ever hear, I cant believe they, or I, did that? Well
believe
it, for in that persons mind it seemed to be a perfectly logical
or at
least balanced choice at the moment. Whether inspired by
emotion,
hardship, training or calculated risk, the action that was taken
was the
best option apparently available to reach some desired outcome.
I
should obviously add one element to the action equation and that
is
failing to fully assimilate all relevant factors prior to taking
action. But
isnt that the game of life, a game we all must play?
As depicted in the diagram the way we respond to a stimulus
ispredicated on a combination of our current environment, the
society in
which we live, our previous experiences, and our current work.
Our
response to a situation is first influenced by our current
environment,
driven by our home and family life, the current dominant
influences of
those closest to us, and our physical, and mental, health and
fitness.
Next our societal views, influenced by the prevailing views of
those
closest to us, the media, our perceived social status, our
religious
beliefs and the morale majorities latest point of view. Our
views on
society are constantly updated by these sources. In some
situations
these may have the greatest influence on our values and
behaviors
and can be at the root of some of our most dramatic actions,
or
inaction.
The next building block comes from past experiences that
include
our education, whether formal or informal, our upbringing, jobs
or
ventures we have had before, experiments we have tried, failures
we
have experienced, and our prior social interactions with bosses,
co-
workers, friends, parents, siblings, and others that we look to
for
behavioral cues.
8/14/2019 Why Do We Do What We Do - By James D Tippett
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contemplate our next action these elements coalesce to develop
our
unique response, action or behavior. By reflecting on our
actions, or at
least better evaluating why we do what we do, we can get closer
to
embracing who we are.
As with all decisions, there are consequences. These
consequences,
both good, and those perceived by us as bad, as in Geessh, I
wont do
that again! provide continued growth and awareness into our
decisions and how we have been impacted by the consequences
of
others decisions. So stop beating yourself up over the bad
decisions
you have made, or the impacts of others, they are in the past.
You
now know that you have the ability to more consciously evaluate
whyyou or someone else acted in one way or another and embrace,
or
work to enhance, any of these factors. You can now get over it
and
move forward, Youre OK.
