Hot Buttons

We all have something that triggers us to become frustrated. It’s normal, we’re human.

What are your hot buttons?

I facilitate an exercise in one of my programs asking this question and, more often than not, the discussion centers around being triggered when their ideas are dismissed, especially when they aren’t even considered. Can you relate?

Identifying your trigger is the first step to managing it. When your button’s been pushed your body will react with an increased heartrate and changes to your breathing. Can you think of a time recently where you’ve experienced this reaction during a conversation?

How we manage being triggered makes all the difference. Perhaps you take a deep breath. Maybe taking a sip of water does the trick. Maybe you will formulate your response through taking a moment of silence. The key is to choose your response, rather than just reacting. As you think back on that conversation, how well did you manage it?

In my coaching practice we explore ways to handle triggers and implement techniques to embed new habits for long-term success. If you had support in navigating your triggers differently, what would you want to explore first?