The Power of The Space

This tool is not based on the rule of law, process, or procedures. This tool is for those investigators that want to grow, lead, and be free to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

In 1946 Viktor Frankl wrote the book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. There are both tidbits and revelations in this book; for some this book is interesting, and for others it is revelatory. Below is a quote and concept often attributed to Viktor Frankl and this book, but there is some dispute as the actual first source. What is important is that the concept that lives in this quote can be powerful and life-changing:

“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.”

Between STIMULUS and RESPONSE there is a SPACE…

STIMULUS is what happens TO you. Large and small, tens of thousands of things happen to you each day. Most things are low priority, and our body and ego process them automatically, being patterned to react almost instantaneously out of programming, experience, and habit. The things (stimuli) that happen to us are called Actions because they are acts that we experience, and automatically or not we must Respond (React) to them.

And so, Stimulus and Response can also be explained as Actions and Reactions. Stimulus (Actions) we have no control over as they happen TO us. These Actions are the sounds, movements, words, smells, colors, and all of the things that we experience during the course of our lives. We are not responsible for Actions, but we are responsible for our Reactions. 

To paraphrase the quote, “Between Action and Reaction Lives the Place where the Power to Choose Growth and Freedom Lives”. 

Linearly it looks like this: 

Action>Space>Reaction.

But, most people live their entire lives moving (flowing) automatically from Action to Reaction with the Space between being unnoticeable. We live automatic lives minute to hour to day to month to year to death like sheep wandering the pastures until we collapse and lie there dying, briefly wondering what really happened to the gift of a life that was given to us (sounds like a Pink Floyd song, eh?).

But what about those Actions that make you stop and contemplate or trigger you in some way. If you are triggered, you usually will React pretty quickly, giving it a small Space, then usually choosing a familiar path. If you contemplate, then you provide yourself with a variety of choices or options. If you dig deeper, you can learn to explore and create a path that is another way of living. This may sound kinda “New Agey”, but this is where the term “The Power of The Pause” originates. Most experienced interviewers and speakers understand the great power that lies in the Pause. But more that a speaking or listening tool, the Space is life-changing. It is not a quiet spot to meditate in or a place for just listening, it is a place for connecting with your Self and developing Reactions that lead to excellent results. Combined with appropriate understanding and communication, the Space is a place of wisdom that can change your life.

The SPACE between Action and Reaction is where the Power of your future life resides. You ultimately will not React effectively without utilizing that space.

The power to live with intention and focus and appreciation and love and excellence and wisdom resides after Action and before Reaction; but if you never connect to and take advantage of this Space, then you will live a mostly mundane and ineffective life. 

Action Happens > Don’t react out of laziness and habit, but make space and apply your true self in order to create the most responsible and effective Reaction. Don’t let anger or bitterness dictate your Response, but insert time to consider and formulate the best Reaction to your feelings. Don’t apply only logic as a Reaction to what happens to you, but keep the doors of your true emotions open to create the most beneficial and positive reaction to what life brings you and others.

The most powerful and effective Responses are based on how much space and time are given to their creation. The smaller the space between Stimulus and Response, the less effective and meaningful your life will be…this is a fact. In this space is where Growth and Freedom are cultivated and then released into the world.

Many investigators understand the power of listening, the power of observation, the power of questioning, and the power of empathy. I would challenge you to consider the power of the Space between Stimulus and Response, the place where the greatest life-changing power lives that is available to you as an investigator. In this space resides the ability to be so much more than you ever thought you could or would be…inside of you and out into this world.

When I started my work as an investigator, I thought that criminal defense would be an interesting track to take. I was somewhat correct in that there is rarely a dull day. But, I had no idea that this would be a life-changing career…for me and for those that I am in contact with every day. Stop, take a breath, process, repeat. Choose the Space and change your world.

It is within us to create and utilize the Space that is within us. What lies within each of us truly is the final frontier.