Monday, November 14, 2011

And all of a sudden, I'm a little bit angry.

Maybe it's not enough sleep. Perhaps that sparked it.

We've had some discussions at work about anger lately. It's more anger in the context of frustration. One of the leaders has been telling us that if someone starts getting angry at you, let them know it's making you uncomfortable, and if they don't respond positively, walk away right then and there. Give them some time to calm down, then go back and work things out. A lot of the times it's not personal (although not always), and often it's because they've frustrated, have worked long hours, multiple days in the row and are tired (not that it justifies anything).

Good advice. Except it works on the assumption that after they've calmed down, you can go back, have a rational conversation, work things through and move on. Probably move on to the next crisis or topic of concern, but either way, move on.

In my experience, I can calm down, forget about things, but not enough sleep (or whatever it is) can re-spark the anger and out of nowhere there's this massive fire inside about to burn.. very slowly.. slow glowing embers but destructive all the same.

At work, we say "Be safe. Stay calm. Have fun."

I am calm.

Just calmly angry.

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