Anger can be an all-consuming emotion with a destructive impact on your emotional and physical well-being. Depending on how you express it, anger can also damage others around you. When you get angry, ask yourself the 7 questions below. Develop a regular practice of challenging your angry thoughts so that you’re in a better position to do something about your anger rather than just experiencing the emotion.
- What am I really angry about?
- What’s the problem, and whose problem is it?
- How can I sort out who’s responsible for what?
- How can I learn to express my anger in a way that won’t leave me feeling helpless and powerless?
- When I’m angry, how can I clearly communicate my position without becoming defensive or attacking others?
- What risks and losses might I face if I become clearer and more assertive?
- If getting angry is not working for me, what can I do differently?