The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development | Do Not React, But Respond

The ‘Cockroach Theory’ Of Sundar Pichai | The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development

Here’s how The Cockroach Theory goes in the Sundar Pichai’s own words..

“At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but …it landed on another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue.
In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant. Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? 

If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach, but the inability of those people to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach, that disturbed the ladies. I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me. It’s not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it’s my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Want to listen the whole speech ? watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Aipn0BUPU

Lessons learnt from the story | The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development

Respond, Not React

When unexpected events occur, which of course, they always do; the only real constant in life is change. Now most people go down one of two roads. They either respond or react. Reaction is an emotional, subconscious decision that is made without consideration for the consequences usually in haste.  Response is the conscious effort to take a step back, (breathe), review the situation, and consider the available solutions. 

The truth is, we often react without thinking. It’s a gut reaction, often based on fear and insecurities, and it’s not the most rational way to act. Responding, on the other hand, according to The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development is taking the situation in, and deciding the best course of action. Going from one reaction to the next is an emotional roller-coaster. However, when you respond to a situation you put a few degrees of freedom between a deeper and more stable sense of self and the ever changing current of your productive life.

How To Respond, Not To React | The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development

Responding is harder than reacting. It takes more time and effort. It often requires letting a strong itch the yearning to immediately do something, anything, about whatever just happened—be there without scratching it. But, like most things that require effort, responding also tends to be advantageous. You rarely regret deliberately responding to a challenging situation. You often regret automatically reacting to one. So, how to practice responding, rather than reacting to any situation ?

TOP 5 WAYS TO PRACTICE THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE AND AVOID HASTY REACTIONS 

Practice P.L.A.C.E | How Not To React, But Respond

Pause

As soon as you notice you’re triggered, take a breath. For example, let’s say you get cut off on the highway. Before you spin into the typical road rage and get bent out of shape, as soon as you notice your energy shift, take a deep breath.

Label Your Reaction

What are you feeling? Is it frustration, insecurity, or something else? Are you angry? Anxious? Acknowledging by labelling your reaction is a great step ahead.

Ask Yourself Why

What actually triggered you? Was it the event itself, or could it have been related to a previous judgment you had or a common trigger? This step invites you to bring awareness to your common triggers and blind spots. Often, the emotion is tied to something below the surface of the actual event.

Choose a Skillful Response

This is a critical step ! It’s where all the magic happens in the process. As you take that step back, consider … what matters most in this situation? And how can I respond in a productive way ? That will help me to ensure making the best choices instead of making a “knee-jerk reaction”.

Empower Yourself

Empower yourself to move forward from that place of awareness so that you can invite a healthier, more ecological outcome for everyone involved.

Final Takeaway | The Cockroach Theory Of Self-development

Well that’s quite a bit of an insight into the mind of the person who runs Google or better said, the internet !! You will often find person who is HAPPY is not because everything is RIGHT in his Life. But, he is HAPPY because his Attitude towards Everything in his Life is Right..!! So now its in our hand to decide whether to REACT or RESPOND !!

Take Your Decision Wisely!!

Read also : Forget FOMO Embrace JOMO | 3 Ways To Embrace JOMO ( https://thebrightdelights.com/forget-fomo-embrace-jomo-3-ways-to-embrace-jomo/ )

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