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As I wrote about a few weeks ago, there can be room for you to be angry at work without the sky falling. But how?
There are a few options for how to honor your feelings and not lose your job. (Adulting is hard! But if we can manage this we may discover the secret to living holistically fulfilling careers! Imagine that!)
Options for when you are angry at work:
- Avoid the person(s) causing your anger. Let things simmer between you and pick up the joint project or issue on a later date when you’ve had time to cool off. Work on literally anything else until your anger dissipates and you have a clearer mind about it.
- Leave the office. Take a long walk. If you can, take your lunch break at that moment. If you can’t, go do something completely mindless either by yourself or with a work buddy who really gets you.
- If you can’t avoid or leave, bring your anger with you but be professional. Name your anger. Explain its presence. Talk about your interest in moving past it but needing something from your team to do that. Be explicit about what you need and make room for their response.
None of these are easy. The first options require you to step away in the heat of the moment which can be hard. The last one is about facing the heat and trying not to melt. The next time you get angry at work, try out one of these techniques. Let us know how it goes in the comments below.