Make My Day! Understanding Anger Triggers

Well, we’re all on the edge sometimes and ready to lash out at the next person who cuts us off in traffic, jumps in front of us in the checkout lane, etc. Well I say, why so edgy? If you know your own anger triggers, you don’t have to join in the road rage or cart-smashing activities. What a relief!

During our research, we found that if people take the time to understand their OWN anger triggers, they have a chance to control them. Most of us do understand our anger triggers but we don’t sit down and formally list them, study them and develop a plan to control them. I’m not talking about anger management classes here; I’m talking about just understanding what sets you off so you can control it.

Here’s the best news. If you can control your own anger triggers, especially in the workplace, you will be happier, your colleagues will be happier and most importantly—your customers will be happier.

So here’s a list of things to consider the next time something makes you upset:

1. Make a list of what angers you.
2. Practice staying centered when something upsets you; take the high road.
3. Stay detached from angry comments made to you.

Make YOUR Day by focusing on the positive and good things that are coming your way. Don’t let the little annoying things ruin it for you, your colleagues or your customers.

Your thoughts?

Johanna Lubahn is Managing Director of Call Center Services for Cohen Brown Management Group, Inc.