Acting off Impulse: A Good or Bad Thing?

7 replies
Hey,

My names William Tha Great and I am here from Houston, Texas.

I have always been a person to act off impulse. I wish I could say otherwise because it has landed me into tough situations. Over the years, I have tried to get in control of it, but to this day I still act off impulse.

Some people would say that is a good thing because your first guess is usually the best one. For instance, when we take a test our first impulse that tells us that is the answer in reality, usually is the answer.

Would you say acting off impulse is a good thing or a bad thing?

God bless,
William Veasley
#acting #bad #good #impulse #thing
  • Profile picture of the author IM Business
    Acting only from impulse, is generally a bad idea, IMO.

    Acting on an immediate impulse can simply be a knee-jerk reaction which is related to our own past, good or bad. The problem is we can't immediately know if the reaction is based on solid and good experience or comes from our own personal dysfunction.

    Taking a moment to consider your reaction and why, can keep you from making bad decisions. Using your intuition to guide in the process is better than just reacting.
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  • Profile picture of the author Max Stryker
    It depends, usually when the impulse is associated to rage and / or anger, the consequence is never good.
    But, if that same impulse comes from a felling of need and / or willingness to change, the results are generally good.
    My advice, don't eradicate you acting out of impulse, just control it. Try (I know it's hard) To think before acting. You don't have to act right away, give yourself and your mind some time to cool off and to think things out. if after that time you still have the urge to act, then do it. i'm sure it'll be for the best. It's who you are, nobody's going to take that away from you. Make the best out of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ankur sharma
    Impulse is formed by your current state of mind. If you are angry, disgusted your impulse will be negative. If you are calm from inside, your impulse will be very very benefecial for you. So, my first question to you is, whether you stay calm all the time? You said, you faced lot of tough situations coz of your actions on impulse. I want to ask, whether at that particular moment, you were calm from inside?

    You got to learn to be calm.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fred1
    RARELY does acting out of impulse lead to good things.

    When we look at the lives of the most successful people in business, it's clear that they aren't impulsive. They may make quick decisions, but usually they are informed decisions.

    In my early 20's I was pretty impulsive & I paid the price for those actions. After bumping my head a few times, I learned that it's best to step back, even for a moment and analyze what you are doing. Sleeping on a decision can save you from years of headaches that impulsive actions can lead to.

    Now, I never make financial decisions out of impulse. If I'm being pressured to make the decision right now, or if my emotions are taking over I'll step back and at least chew on the decision overnight.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi William,

    I feel acting by listening to your intuition is better than taking actions based on impulses, for these impulses can be positive or negative. Many times though, the impulse has an impatient vibe to it....at least for me....meaning I have strong negative motives and much of my impulsive acts will be counterproductive.

    Expanding your awareness so you can hear the small, still voice that's never wrong is the way to go.

    Thanks for sharing!

    RB
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    Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
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  • Profile picture of the author ejb2059
    I'd have to say it depends on who you are as a person and what your "impulse" pass / fail record is ...

    If historically your impulse's have been more correct than incorrect, I'd say "OK" but...if your the type who's "impulse's" land you in jail, I'd say stop and think LOL

    Rev
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  • Profile picture of the author William Veasley
    My dad used to tell me that whenever I see something I want (not need) to buy, I should wait at least twenty-four hours before making the purchase. He believed that within those twenty-four hours there would be enough time to figure out if I really wanted it or I just had an impulse to buy it.
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