16 Apr Is being impulsive such a bad thing?

Yup, I’ll admit it. I’m an impulsive person.

I jump at things, follow my heart, take risks — sometimes I rock the boat. All of which has my friends and family shaking their heads in dismay and disbelief… (Actually I think some of them trust me by now!)

But as an admittedly impulsive person, I know we get a bad rap.

You don’t have to search too hard to find psychology textbooks saying negative things about being impulsive, or success gurus warning against it.

But in today’s Jacquie Straight Up, I proudly make a case for impulsivity.

Yes, I know. We’re constantly cautioned against being impulsive throughout our lives by well meaning individuals, and it may make sense for a whole lot of people.

But today, I’m playing devil’s advocate, and I’m shedding some light on the benefits of living your life on a whim. And if you’re one of those not-so-impulsive types, bear with me here and try to expand your mind for a moment or two…

I believe being impulsive has served me very well so far, and is the secret to having an adventurous and exciting life, rich with experiences.

I want you to have the life you’ve always hoped and dreamed of. And if encouragement to be a bit more impulsive helps you achieve that, then this is all worthwhile.

I dig into all the details in today’s video, but here are few key thoughts on why I believe we should follow our first instincts, right off the bat:

• Often, when we make an impulsive decision, we’re forced to “make” it the right decision. We are forced to figure it out, to grow, and to take action. Impulsive decisions often force the very best of us to come out from sheer necessity.
• Impulsivity does away with the obsessive tendencies that so many of us have to over think all of the opportunities. When we over-think, we dwell on every possible scenario that could go wrong, which often leads us to say “no” when we should have said “yes.”
• When you are impulsive, you no longer tip-toe through life, hoping to not make mistakes, and praying to never fail. Instead, you recognize that failure is a reality for everyone, and it’s often a requirement for success! Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from living. Those who never fail at something, never really succeed at much, either.

And yes, I admit, there are certain circumstances where you should NOT make impulsive decisions. But because this note is already getting quite long, I’ll allow you to discover those tips by watching today’s video.

I will leave you with this thought: the next time you are faced with an interesting, challenging, or significant decision, tune into your gut, listen to your intuition, and, if the coast is clear, be inclined to jump!

If this video has served you, please hit the like button and share with your friends. You never know, they may need a little impulsivity in their lives!

Thanks for reading, and for watching.

See you next week!

Sending love and strength,
Jacquie
xo