Event, Response, Outcome

I’m not sure where I found this but there’s a simple math equation I like to remember. It is E + R = O or Event + Response = Outcome

When something happens to us (event), our response to that event will determine our outcome.

For example, when something bad happens to us like we get into a car accident or a kid poops on the floor what is our typical response?

For me, it is anger or frustration. For instance,I was driving along and someone side swipes and almost totals my car; tore up the entire drivers side part of the car. Likewise one of my kids pooped on the floor trying to get the bathroom and now I have to clean it up taking away from what I am currently doing.

What would be the outcome of this anger or frustration? Nothing great. Two negatives do not make a positive here. I have started to re-frame my mindset when these situations occur.

I start with a deep breath. Just a big inhale and exhale. This helps to remove that negative energy that has just started to brew, then I assess the situation. Is anyone hurt? Was this malicious? Is this something I can handle?

In hindsight, the feeling after all of this is that it’s really not that big of deal. When someone hit me, it was super annoying but there’s nothing I can do about it at this point. Likewise when my kid pooped on the floor, it was frustrating but he did his best to get to the bathroom and I praised him for his conscious effort to make it there.

Very few things in life are life/death or have major implications. Only when you do big things will there be big consequences.

So next time you want to have a positive outcome look at how you respond. That will guide you to have the best chance of success. I always start with a deep breath but find out what works for you!

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