The Space Between: A Lesson from Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl

It’s easy to feel like we’re constantly reacting—rushing from one task to another, responding to demands, emails, and crises, often without thinking. But what if we could change that? What if we could learn to pause, to create space between stimulus and response? This is the lesson Viktor Frankl, the Austrian philosopher, Holocaust survivor, and author of Man’s Search for Meaning, imparted to us through his profound insight: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

To understand the power of this idea, let’s imagine two very different scenarios.

The Corporate Rushed Decision

Mark was a successful executive at a large corporation. Known for his quick decisions and ability to handle high-pressure situations, he was the go-to guy for solving problems. But this reputation was a double-edged sword. Over time, Mark began to feel the weight of constant decision-making. Every time a problem arose, he was expected to solve it immediately. His phone buzzed incessantly, his inbox was always full, and meetings were packed back-to-back. There was no time to think, no space to breathe.

One day, a crisis hit. A key project was behind schedule, and a major client was furious. Mark’s immediate instinct was to push his team harder, demanding they work late into the night to meet the deadline. He fired off a series of angry emails, called an emergency meeting, and laid out an aggressive plan. But as the hours passed, things only got worse. The team, already stretched thin, started making mistakes. The project fell even further behind, and the client threatened to take their business elsewhere.

Mark realized, too late, that his rushed response had compounded the problem. He hadn’t given himself—or his team—the space to think clearly, to explore alternative solutions, or to communicate effectively. The situation had spiraled out of control because he had allowed it to speed up on him.

Viktor Frankl’s Space in Action

Now, let’s turn to a true story, one rooted in the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. Viktor Frankl, imprisoned in Auschwitz, faced daily atrocities that stripped away every freedom, every dignity. But amidst this unimaginable suffering, Frankl discovered a profound truth: even when everything else is taken away, we still have the power to choose our response.

In the face of brutality, Frankl observed how some prisoners found ways to maintain their humanity, while others succumbed to despair and hopelessness. The difference, he realized, was in how they responded to their circumstances. Frankl himself practiced this. When guards screamed at him, when he was beaten, starved, and humiliated, he learned to create a mental space—a pause—before reacting. In that space, he chose how to respond. Rather than letting anger or fear dictate his actions, he chose to focus on the small acts of kindness he could still offer, the dignity he could maintain in his thoughts.

This ability to pause, to create space between stimulus and response, gave Frankl a sense of control in a world where control seemed impossible. It was a lesson that not only helped him survive but also inspired his later work in psychology. He knew that this space was where true freedom resided—the freedom to choose one’s attitude, to find meaning even in the most harrowing circumstances.

Creating Your Space

What can we learn from these stories? In Mark’s case, the lack of space between stimulus and response led to a cascade of mistakes that could have been avoided. By contrast, Viktor Frankl’s ability to create that space allowed him to maintain his humanity in the darkest of times.

The key is to slow down. In moments of stress or crisis, our natural instinct is to react quickly. But this often leads to compounded mistakes, as we rush decisions without fully considering the consequences. Instead, we need to learn to force a pause, to create that essential space. Whether it’s taking a walk, gathering our breath, or simply stepping away from the situation for a few moments, these pauses can make all the difference.

In that space, we can think more clearly, choose our response more wisely, and avoid the pitfalls of a rushed process. It’s not always easy, especially in a fast-paced world that values quick decisions. But it’s in those moments of pause that our true power lies—the power to choose our response, to control the narrative, and to guide our lives with intention rather than reaction.

Conclusion

Viktor Frankl’s insight offers a timeless lesson: in the space between stimulus and response lies our greatest power. It’s a power that can transform not only how we handle daily challenges but also how we live our lives. By slowing down, by creating space, we can avoid compounding our mistakes and instead make choices that reflect our best selves.