Using the space between stimulus and response effectively – Mind the gap

So, how are your 2015 New Year’s resolutions going so far?

92% of people don’t make it, according to the University of Scranton. So, what do the 8% do right?

There are probably numerous reasons why the 8% succeed with their resolutions. Here’s where it starts: these people pay attention. They pay attention to the gap.

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One of the most important things I’ve learned in my life is that between stimulus and response there is a gap. Success is determined by choices made in the gap. This is where your resolutions have a chance.

So, what’s this gap?

I recently read a brilliant explanation by Susan Goldsworthy. I met Susan numerous times while I was presenting in Switzerland. Susan is an international executive coach, award-winning author, former Olympic finalist, and one of the brightest friends I have. This year she co-authored, with Walter McFarland (Chairman of ASTD) “Choosing Change – How Leaders and Organisations Drive Results One Person at a Time”.

Here’s Susan on the gap:

“….neurophysiologist Benjamin Libet was fascinated by the question of whether humans have free will. He led experiments to understand the mental timing involved when someone does a voluntary act. He chose a simple task

the lifting of a finger. His research showed that 0.5 seconds before the voluntary movement of the finger there is a brain signal related to the action that is about to occur; it’s called an action potential. Your unconscious brain decides, I will move my finger, 0.3 seconds before you are aware of it. At this point, there is a further 0.2 seconds where you are aware that you are about to move your finger, and you can intervene in the process and stop the move.

Now this is the exciting part! For every move you make, you have 0.2 of a second where you can actively, consciously intervene in the process and choose a different response. Viktor Frankl, Austrian psychiatrist and concentration camp survivor, was spot on when he wrote, between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Now 0.2 of a second may not sound like much, but in brain terms, with billions of connections every second, it is a decent amount of time. Every time you make a decision, you have 0.2 of a second to choose a different response. Wow! Our right ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex can step right in and intervene in the limbic process.” www.choosingchangebook.com

The key is to be mindful. To be awake. Train your brain to notice the gap and the choices that are available for you to choose. This is difficult, until it’s not.

Remember, you are never stuck. Your brain is capable of great change! Your brain can change itself and a brain changed is a life changed.

Bob Marley once said,”Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”

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Terry Small


Terry Small, B.Ed., M.A., is a master teacher and learning skills specialist. He has presented on the brain for over 30 years to schools and organisations around the world. His knowledge, warmth, humour and dynamic presentation style have made him a much sought-after speaker at workshops and conferences. Terry is often on television, the radio and in the press. He has presented his ideas to over 200,000 people. Terry believes, “Anyone can learn how to learn easier, better, faster, and that learning to learn is the most important skill a person can acquire.” Terry’s wealth of teaching experience and extensive involvement in applied neuroscience and make him an outstanding resource of the business and educational communities. He resides in Vancouver, Canada. Terry Small’s Philosophy is simple: “Success is a skill anyone can learn.”