How To Stay Calm – Take a Breather
When someone’s firing off at you like a cannon, taking a breather might feel like the last thing you want to do. LOL. I can see you rolling your eyes at me!
But trust me, it’s a game-changer. First off, don’t feel like you need to respond right away. One thing that I have learned is that if you pause for a moment and don’t fire right back, it can de-escalate the situation.
It gives you a moment to mentally step back, take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts. It’s like hitting the pause button on a heated exchange.
If you are actually standing in front of someone instead of being on the phone, if you can, physically remove yourself from the situation. Excuse yourself for a quick bathroom break or step outside for some fresh air. Sometimes just changing your surroundings can help dial down the intensity and give you a chance to regroup.
Now, here’s the kicker: distract yourself. Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but it works.
When someone’s going off like a rocket, redirect your focus to something else for a minute. Count to ten, recite your favorite mantra silently, or picture yourself lounging on a tropical beach (ahh, bliss). It’s all about shifting your attention away from the chaos for a moment so you can come back to the conversation with a clearer head.
Trust me, mastering the art of taking a breather in the heat of the moment can save you from saying or doing something you might regret later. It won’t happen over night and it is something that I still struggle with. It is much easier for me to do on the phone. I get up and walk around the office.
Always be safe. Try to never put yourself in a situation where you are in front of someone who is very angry.
Next week, we will talk about putting yourself in their shoes.
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