Managing Impulsivity - a habit of mind

Managing Impulsivity is one of the habits of mind, it's about thinking before speaking and resisting the urge to jump into conclusions. It's also a part of habits of mind framework.

'The cup of hot tea - if you drink too fast, you burn your tongue'

What is a habit of mind?

  🍃The habit of mind is a consistent way of thinking that supports problem solving, decision making and continuous learning.

What does Managing Impulsivity mean?

   🍃It is the ability to stop and think before we act.

What are the emotional layers involved in Managing Impulsivity?

• The fear of being misunderstood 
• The longing to be heard by anyone
• The courage to listen

Why does the Impulsivity come to play?

• Strong emotions             - anger, excitement, fear and loneliness also can a reason
• The instant gratification  - The mind's rewarding system kicks up before the thinking
• Peer pressure                 - acting quickly to match others pace
• Lack of clarity                 - Confusion leading to do just something
• The habit loops               - we do same things repetitively without even knowing

How does Impulsivity show up in studies?

• It shows up in the form of boredom when the content looks repetitive 
• It comes as overwhelming when the subject is too much to learn
• The perfectionism is another one which makes us rush to get the things right
• The temptations like phone, snacks may be stronger than subjects 

How does Impulsivity show up in listening?

• Interrupting                                - trying to respond even before the person finishes the talk
• Judging quickly                           - coming to conclusion before hearing the full details
• The distraction                           - the mind thinks about reply instead of listening
•  Changing the topic                     - steering the conversation to our interest
• Competing for airtime                 - waiting for a pause eagerly to insert our story
• Reacting to tone not for meaning - responding to how someone sounds instead of what it means
• Spotlight stealing                        - turning their story into ours

Why is this 'habit of mind-Managing Impulsivity' important?

• It improves decision-making
• It helps to strengthen the relationships
• It makes the learning better
• It helps to build emotional intelligence
• It makes the building trust easier