Why Do I Always React?

In an era of instant connection via phone, email, Facebook and every other form of media that has us wired into each other’s lives, it’s hard to not respond.  I found myself frustrated the other day when I didn’t get an immediate response from someone I was texting.  I know they got the text so why not respond back to me?  I pride myself in working hard to keep my inbox as trim as possible but what I’m learning is the quicker I respond the more the dialogue piles up.  I find myself in this vicious cycle of responding too quickly.  Before I know it, my life becomes reactionary.  I don’t determine the moments of my day but I allow the demands and needs of others to dictate my schedule.  In doing so, I find the quality of the “product” I’m attempting to create is bastardized because I’m only giving my work a small percentage of my focus due to so much disruption.

This is often easier said then done because if you and I choose not to respond out of a reactionary mindset then there are consequences.  The most obvious is that people will get angry because they feel you either owe them a quick response because of some type of relational affinity you have with this person or because of your profession – (in my case – a pastor) they might think they “own” you and deserve a response.

These days I’m on a vicious pursuit of reclaiming my schedule and focusing on not reacting but driving what’s most important in my life.  I’m re-centering – again!