E+R=O
Use this simple formula when making decisions
I was first introduced to this formula by Brian Kight. I don’t know if he invented this formula or if he was just speaking on it when I heard him. However, it seems to make a lot of sense to me and I would like to share it with you now. “E” means environment. “R” means your response. “O” means outcome. Put it all together and it means that your environment plus your response equals the outcome. Do you have total control over the parts in this equation? No! However, you can control one very important piece of the formula.
The environment is something you can’t control. The environment is what it is. Maybe you contributed to the environment but you do not have total control over the environment. The environment is the current situation as it is. You are not happy with the current situation or environment, and you want to make improvements in a relationship or your current situation.
The outcome is what you hope to achieve with this situation. Where do you hope this situation will lead in the future? You really do not have total control over the outcome as well. You may have some influence in the outcome, but you do not have total control. The outcome is your goal or what you would like to achieve within the situation. Your responses to the environment can lead to your goal or the desired outcome. The better your response, the better chance of achieving your desired outcome.
The only part of the equation that you truly control is your response. Your future will be based on the decisions that you make now. You can influence the outcome with your response. You cannot wish for a different outcome. You can only control your response as you try to get to a better future or a better outcome. If you want a better future you need to have a better response immediately. You must deal with reality to the best of your ability. Focus on your response to try to create the best outcome possible in your situation. You control your response. You are in total control of your response. Use your response to make better decisions which will lead you to a better future. Choose to make a better responses to the environment that you are in to get to the outcome that you want to achieve. This may not happen with one simple decision. You may not achieve your desired outcome based on the first good decision that you make. It may take several good responses to your environment before you achieve your desired outcome. So focus on your goals or your desired outcome, and then focus on the responses or response that you need to make to achieve that goal and to change your environment. Make better choices. Choose better responses. And always magnify your blessings.
–Coach Greg King