10 Tips to Cope with Negative Emotions at Work

It's a fact of life - if you want to succeed in business, you need to know how to interact and communicate effectively with your employees, business partners, vendors, prospects, and customers. As a small business owner, this might involve rapid shifting from one type of language to another. For example, how you'd explain your expectations to your employees might be different than how you'd convey these to your business partner or potential client.

As we all know, sometimes language breaks down, and communication grinds to a halt. This can leave the owner feeling irritable, angry, frustrated... and with a desire to vent to his/her employees or staff.

While there may be instances that such sharing would be appropriate or helpful, there are many instances where this is not the case, and venting anyway may result in a significant loss of credibility and respect from key employees and contacts.

So, what are some effective ways to manage emotions in the work place environment?

1. Good self-care is the best medicine. An employer who tends to his/her own physical, emotional and mental needs, regularly, is going to be more adept at managing negative or hostile emotions at work. Start with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and regular exercise.

2. Know what anger and frustration feels like to you - both in your head and in your body. Sometimes, we can get really "cut off" from our feelings and act rashly without knowing why. Spend some time knowing what anger feels like to you, and where you notice it in your body.

3. Take a 10 minute walk. When you desire to "vent", excuse yourself from the office and take a brisk 10 minute walk around the parking lot or neighborhood. This will clear your mind and may save you from losing your temper.

4. Vent to a mentor, coach, or trusted colleague. The act of sharing your frustration and fears will calm you down. These people can support you and help you move forward.

5. Ask, "What am I afraid of?". Most often, anger or frustration appears when one of our fears has been activated. By going directly for the source of your feelings, you may be able to short-circuit them.

6. Make an exhaustive "do not want" list. In this list, you write down everything you do NOT want in the situation such as "to look foolish", "to be unprepared", etc.. Once you write this all down - ALL OF IT- you will clear your mind and be ready to generate productive solutions.

7. Distract yourself. Sometimes, getting your mind off the upsetting subject is enough to calm you down. Consider closing your door and playing computer games or something equally mindless (but absorbing). Shifting your focus will shift your attitude.

8. Ask, "What's working about this situation?" This tip comes from Kurt Wright's book, "Breaking the Rules", and suggests that we all can manage stress better if we start looking at "what's working" rather than "what's wrong". Many times, communication breakdowns or glitches can show you where better systems need to be created and placed and ultimately, will enhance the viability of your organization.

9. Take an action. Sometimes, when one piece of the business plan isn't moving, it may mean that another part is ready to be acted upon. Rather than feeling annoyed and frustrated, transform that energy into positive movement forward, where you can.

10. Make a strong request. If you would like something to be different, start the process of making it so. Contact key people, letting them know that you'd like to work on the impasse, and make your needs and those of your business known. Sometimes, just communicating about your desires in the form of an appropriate request can move situations along.

Regular use of these tips will help you stay well balanced & happy as your business grows and flourishes. Try them and see!

© 2003. Dr. Rachna D. Jain. All Rights in All Media Reserved.

About The Author

Dr. Rachna D. Jain is a sales and marketing coach and Director of Operations for SalesCoachTraining.com. Sign up for her free email newsletter, "Sales & Marketing Secrets" To learn more or to contact Dr. Jain directly, please visit http://www.SalesandMarketingCoach.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


In A Slump?, Rejoice I Say, Rejoice!

Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More

Whats My Life All About?

What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More

Clenching?

What are you holding onto? Wanta quit?There are many things... Read More

Internet Tip of the Week: The Power of Positive Thinking

The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More

Tips on Boosting Your Self-Confidence

How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More

Improve Your Self Confidence

Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and... Read More

Dealing With Negative People Made Easy

I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More

The Problem With Affirmations

Do you know the problem with affirmations? You know, the... Read More

Mindfulness and Money: Monkeying Around

Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More

You Cant Plant Apple Seeds and Expect Oranges

Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More

Are You A Victim Of FABS? Part One

Have you heard of the FABS? The FABS are quadruplets;... Read More

Universal Thought Systems #4

Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More

Welcoming the Unexpected

As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More

Ditch Lack of Confidence and Unlock Full Potential

Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More

The Power of Negative Thinking

For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More

Today, A Wonderful Day

Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More

Shifting Your Paradigm

What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More

Aging

Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More

Mind Games!

Have you ever been caught up in a thought that... Read More

Life Energy

There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More

The Art of Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Look Beyond His Attitude

Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More

Oh for a Really Good Day!

What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More

How To Reduce Anxiety When Affirmations Dont Work

Have you ever read that you should think positively when... Read More

Define Yourself With Confidence

As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About Looking Beyond His Attitude

Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More

Positive Attitude is Not Enough

Contrary to the popular saying "attitude is everything" attittude is... Read More

Your Choice of Music can Shape Your Beliefs

Music is very powerful. The kind of music you listen... Read More

Creating Positive Environments, Part 1: Using Art

One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More

The Gift of Envy

The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More

Challenge Your Perspectives

When I was a young girl, my sister and I... Read More

Chanel Your Prosperity Energy Today

Every emotion, wether we classify it as good or bad,... Read More

Anchoring Positivity With NLP

There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More