I’ve had many inquiries about the difference between overresponding and overreacting since writing about it recently. The word “overresponding” makes my spell checker go a bit nutty but it’s a very good word and I think it deserves a place in our language and the dictionary.
I first learned of the concept of overresponding from a book called The Portable Coach by Thomas Leonard . Leonard explains that as we become adults we learn to keep our strong feelings under control in order remain in control. We learn not to get upset – to fly off the handle. But Leonard explains that as grown-ups, in order to prevent getting stuck in an overly reactive mode and to remain in control, we “end up stuck in a response-containment mode which blocks self-knowledge. And self-knowledge is the key to evolving.”
(1945 – 2003)
While Thomas’ explanation of strategies to overrespond immediately to every event pertain to personal growth and evolution, they certainly apply to business growth and evolution as well. Overresponding is a learned behaviour and the more you practice it the more valuable information you are able to see about the amazing opportunities lurking right within your problems. It’s not about ignoring problems or approaching them like a perpetual Pollyanna. It’s about approaching problems quite differently.
If, for example, you want a service you can’t find and you continue to search everywhere Thomas would say you are overreacting. If you explore how you could provide the service yourself then you are overresponding.
Recently I gave one example of overresponding vs. overreacting. It was a way for me to overrespond rather than contain to my strong feelings of disgust at Dead Peasants Insurance. This is a relatively recent practise where some large corporations take out multi-million dollar insurance policies on their low-level employees making them, in dollar-value, worth more to those companies dead than alive. Ughh!
Here is another example that may help you to think about how you might overrespond to problems you would normally overreact to and turn them into opportunities to either grow personally or grow your small business.
I’ve been encouraging many people I know to try Blitztime. It’s an innovative way to network using just your phone and computer. It’s like speed dating but for business. I’ve met new clients, joint venture partners and other really great contacts and I really love that I don’t have to fuss with my hair or get in my car and drive somewhere. Quite a few people I know have checked it out but relatively few end up attending an event.
I discovered, in a conversation with the founder of Blitztime and other members, that there are two main reasons people check it out but don’t attend an event (even though their first two events are free): it’s not obvious how to use it and many people hesitate to jump in and network with strangers when they don’t feel confident they are “doing it right”. Several folks in the meeting were feeling frustrated with the lack of a solution to the problem.
To overreact to the problem of lack of a comfortable and educational environment for new folks to try out Blitztime, so they can evaluate it for themselves, would be to think something like “this is hopeless” or “I’ll wait until someone does a better job of helping newcomers get comfortable”.
Ah, but when I thought about what overresponding might look in this situation I came up with a great opportunity to both help others evaluate Blitztime and, as an extra bonus, I have a chance to learn from an expert how to host my own Blitztime events by co-hosting one. I contacted experienced Blitztime host Pat Weber and the result is Blitztime for Newcomers on November 17. Click here for information.
It’s an opportunity to learn how Blitztime works, how you can use it to increase your bottom-line, and an opportunity to network with other newcomers just like you. Blitztime is free for your first two events so I do hope you join us. If you can’t make this one just check the event schedule at Blitztime for alternatives.
You may not find a solution to every problem but if, for the very next problem you encounter, you ask yourself “how can I overrspond vs. overreact?” I guarantee you will learn a lot about how you approach problems. As you practice with this concept you will create the most amazing opportunities for growth.
I’d love to hear your examples of overresponding vs. overreacting and any comments you have.
