Step 1 - How To Manage Your Hot Buttons

First, you need to be able to identify your hot buttons.  You've got to know what they are before you can manage them.  In other words, turn off the cruise control and start paying attention to your reactions.

When a hot button is being pushed it usually signals part of your body.  You might get a knot in your stomach.  You might clench your teeth.  Your heart might beat faster.  Your muscles may tense up.  It could be any number of things, but the key point here is learning to recognize the signals. 

It's sort of like the "check engine" light in your car.  It was designed to give you fair warning that something is or could be going wrong. 

In the case of your hot buttons, you want your brain to recognize and warn you that something is going wrong.  This gives you the opportunity to consciously choose an appropriate response to the situation…and hopefully a response that you won't regret later.

Ok, for the next several days pay extra attention to your hot buttons.  When you begin to feel the signals, step back and take notice.  Ask yourself these questions:

What am I feeling?

What is prompting the feeling?

What am I about to do that I may regret?

What do I need to do right now to prevent doing something I'll regret later?

Let me know what happened!