Part 2 - The emotional cycle

Although on average an emotion only lasts about 90 seconds, emotions do not appear randomly. They follow a process.

1. Situation — something happens.

2. Attention — you focus on a detail.

3. Interpretation — you give meaning to what happened.

4. Response — your body reacts and you respond.

For example:

1. A comment is made (situation).

2. You focus on the tone (attention).

3. You interpret it as disrespect (interpretation).

4. You feel anger and respond sharply (response).

Regulation can happen at each stage. But the earlier you intervene, the easier it is.

Formation means learning to intervene before escalation.

Ask yourself:

At which stage do I consciously usually intervene — before reaction, or after damage?