Blood flow Quote by William Ury
““Once the fight-or-flight reaction gets triggered, the blood flows from our brain to our limbs, and our ability to think clearly diminishes. We forget our purpose and often act exactly contrary to our interests. When we react, we give away our power—our power to influence the other person constructively and to change the situation for the better. When we react, we are, in effect, saying no to our interests, no to ourselves.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Getting to Yes by William Ury and Roger Fisher, 1981
When we react instinctively, physiological stress impairs rational thought, causing us to act against our own goals and lose influence over outcomes.
In simple terms: Reacting clouds judgment and surrenders control.
Key Takeaway
Pause, breathe, and choose a constructive response.
Themes
self‑control
communication
conflict resolution
Mood
anxious
determined
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- negotiations
- personal crises
- high‑stress work
- emergency situations
Key Concepts
psychology
neuroscience
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize the onset of fight‑or‑flight?
- What strategies help you stay aligned with your goals under stress?
A Different Perspective
Reacting can still be useful for rapid safety decisions, but may hinder long‑term problem solving.
