Impulse control is something we all struggle with—whether it’s firing off an angry email, reacting emotionally in the heat of the moment, or feeling the need to respond instantly to every notification. In this week’s Burning the Ships ramble, I take a deep dive into how impulse control (or the lack of it) affects our decisions, relationships, and overall mental clarity. From childhood habits to professional missteps and even road rage, I share personal stories and lessons learned on the journey to mastering patience and restraint.
I also explore how our fast-paced, instant-gratification culture has made impulse control even more difficult and what strategies you can use to regain control over your reactions. Whether it’s taking a deep breath, walking away, or even having a second pair of eyes review your emails before you hit send, small changes can make a huge difference.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] – Introduction
[01:29] – The evolution of impulse control from childhood to adulthood
[04:45] – Why instant gratification has made patience a lost art
[08:16] – The impulse to respond to emails and messages immediately—and why it’s a mistake
[12:28] – Early career lessons: how reacting emotionally in emails hurt my professional relationships
[15:15] – The power of “sleeping on it” and how it transformed my approach
[18:04] – Parenting and impulse control: a real-time challenge
[22:34] – Practical strategies to improve impulse control and avoid unnecessary stress
Key Takeaways
1. Not everything requires an immediate response. Taking a moment to assess a situation before reacting can prevent unnecessary stress and conflict.
2. Instant gratification has weakened our patience. The ability to get answers and solutions instantly has made it harder to delay reactions and think things through.
3. Sleep on it. Waiting before responding to emotionally charged situations allows for a clearer perspective and better decision-making.
Links & Resources
608B Capital – https://608bcapital.com/
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See you next time on Burning the Ships!
