Managing Impulsivity

Some people are more impulsive than others. They see the thing they want so they buy it without thinking it through. They feel a certain way about a person and they share it. They get caught up in the moment and overindulge themselves. In many cases impulsivity creates an immediate and short-term reward but it often comes with long-term consequences. Some people like spontaneity, and so be it. If that’s what they choose to do, they need to understand the implications.

This negative connotation to doing things impulsively is built into the definition: It was done urgently, without much forethought, and despite better judgment. If something is labeled as an impulse or temptation then intuitively you know it’s something you probably shouldn’t do. Having the awareness to admit something is an impulse forces you to acknowledge the truth hidden behind the feeling.

In his book “Indistractable” Nir Eyal offers a way for people to overcome impulses by “surfing the urge”. When you first feel compelled to do something that you know is a vice or an expression of a lesser self, allow yourself to sit with it for a bit. The simple practice of giving yourself more time with it decreases its influence on you. 

Today’s world is full of reasons to splurge on instant gratification. It’s always available within arms reach and at our fingertips. For me, I can get impulsive by checking something on my phone or grabbing a snack. That’s why I’ve implemented strategies to support me in being more intentional with both:

With snacking, I try to set a 10 minute timer. If I’m still feeling hungry in 10 minutes, then I serve myself a specific portion of a healthy snack to tide me over. As for checking my phone, I’ve set boundaries that I don’t use social media for personal reasons or consumption before noon and after 8pm, and I have accountability around it. I also have set up app limits that notify me when I’ve been on for too long.

These are examples of how you can tactically design around the impulses you expect to feel. If you have something specific in place, you’ll be that much more effective at managing an impulse when it comes.

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