Getting Mad Doesn’t Get Anything Done

Have you ever gotten mad at work?

I mean really mad.

Angry to the point that you didn’t get anything done?

When bad things happen, it can be difficult not to let our emotions rule our day.

However, if you let something eat at  you, you aren’t going to get your work done.

Getting Upset Derails Your Work

The other day at work, I was wronged. Or at least, I perceived that I was.

A co-worker had intentionally done something to try to create conflict with me. It was one of those, the ref isn’t looking and no one will be able to prove I did it actions.

It made me look bad, and I was not happy.

I later approached the colleague and ask them the reasons behind their actions. They laughed it off and didn’t deny what they had done.

It should have ended there, except I ended up stewing over the incident for the better part of the afternoon.

Has this ever happened to you?

When I finally came out of my mood, I was actually more disappointed in myself. I shouldn’t have allowed this individual to derail my day and let their petty actions get to me.

You see, getting mad doesn’t get anything done. In fact, it can entirely disrupt your productivity.

Getting angry only serves to:

– Waste Time – What could you accomplish in the time that you spend upset and venting?

– Cloud Your Thinking – When we are upset, making clear decisions is difficult. Don’t make emotional decisions in the heat of the moment.

– Bring a Negative Attitude – When you are angry, your negative mood will be felt by those around you. Don’t take your feelings out on those nearby.

Don’t Get Mad, Get Productive

Even if you are the coolest customer, everyone gets ruffled at some point. The key is not to let your anger or emotion derail your hard work.

Here are a few tips to keep productive when you are upset:

• Use It As A Motivator – I once had a boss question my team’s abilities. (And no, he was not trying to motivate us…) We went out and crushed, I mean, obliterated the goals that had been set for the company. The team channeled their emotions to turn the situation into a win.
• Attack What Needs to be Done – When someone upsets you, take the focus off of them and instead put it on the work that needs to get done. Put your effort into the task at hand and forget about the individual involved.
• Get Your Mind Off It – Sometimes it is best to do something different to take your mind off of what is upsetting you. Work on something else until you are level-headed enough to return to the upsetting issue.
• Take a Breather – Go outside and let off some steam, literally. Get a breath of fresh air. You will return refreshed, and with a new sense of purpose.
• Come Back Later – When you are mad about something, let it sit overnight. Usually, when you return, things have settled down on their own. You will be calmer and have a better perspective to handle the situation.
• Let the Small Things Go – As the saying goes, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” If it is a minor matter, let it go. You have bigger, more important matters to attend to. You are probably making more of it than needs to be. And there are very few true emergencies in life.
• Get a Partner – Sometimes, you need to call for backup. When you are facing something that has got your goat, call on someone outside the issue whom you trust.

Doing is the Best Payback

Not letting your emotions get the better of you, can be easier said than done.

However, if you get upset about every little thing, you won’t get anything done.

The next time your emotions start to take over, stop and think twice.

Want to get your revenge? How about just getting it done?

Sometimes the best response is to crush it.

Let the troublemakers keep making their trouble.

And let the doers keep doing.

Have you let something or someone upset you and derail your productivity recently?