Living by Design

Agency

In "Man's Search for Meaning" by Dr Viktor Frankl he mentions that between stimulus and response, humans have the ability to make a decision. This decision allows anyone to have control over their actions and ultimately the influence they can have over their environment.

Exploring the Concept

• What does it feel like when you catch yourself in that moment between something happening and your reaction? Can you describe that experience?
• How might our automatic responses sometimes conflict with our deeper values or wisdom?
• What's the difference between reacting and responding? How do you recognize when you're doing each?

Practical Application

• What triggers tend to make you react quickly without thinking? How might you create more space in those moments?
• When have you made a decision you later regretted because you acted too quickly? What would have changed if you had paused?
• What practices or techniques help you access that pause when you need it most?

Wisdom and Principles

• How do you identify your core principles in the heat of the moment? What helps you remember what matters most to you?
• What's the relationship between emotional intelligence and this kind of mindful responding?
• How do different wisdom traditions or philosophical approaches guide decision-making in that crucial pause?

Deeper Reflection

• Is there a difference between the "you" that reacts immediately and the "you" that responds after reflection? What does this suggest about identity and choice?
• How do we balance spontaneity and authenticity with thoughtful, principled responses?
• What role does self-awareness play in expanding that space between stimulus and response?

Social and Relational Dimensions

• How does this practice affect your relationships? What changes when you respond rather than react to others?
• Can groups or organizations develop this kind of collective pause before making decisions?
• How do we handle situations where quick action is genuinely needed while still maintaining our principles?

Fun other context:
Cognitive f(x)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfcgQCFxj5M

Levels of development and maturity

https://youtu.be/kse87ocS0Uo?si=RLFnFXV9KKS8Lakn

Enneagram development
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60V7qeJzaGc