Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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How to Remain Calm When Others Are Angry (or Downright Rude)

Subject: How to Remain Calm When Others Are Angry (or Downright Rude)

You have the power to improve someone else's day, perhaps even their whole life, simply by giving them your calm attention, compassion, and kindness...

Do it! Make a tiny difference. Be a little bit of the change you hope to see in the world today.

Truth be told, the most fundamental aggression to ourselves and others—the most fundamental harm we can do to human nature as a whole—is to remain ignorant by not having the awareness and the courage to look at ourselves and others honestly and gently.

Remember, in our relationships calmness is a god-given superpower...

Over the past decade, there’s a way of being I’ve gradually been cultivating in myself—I’ve been taming my tendency to get angry and argue with people when their behavior doesn’t match my expectations.

As human beings, we all have an idea in our heads about how things are supposed to be, and sadly this is what often messes up our relationships the most. We all get frustrated when things don’t play out the way we expect them to, and people don’t behave like they’re “supposed” to. We expect our spouses and children to act a certain way, our friends to be kind and agreeable, strangers to be less difficult, and so on and so forth.

And when reality hits us, and everyone seems to be doing the opposite of what we want them to do, we overreact—anger, frustration, stress, arguments, tears, etc.

So what can we do about this?

Breathe... and think better.

You can’t control how other people behave. You can’t control everything that happens to you. What you can control is how you respond to it all. In your response is your power.

When you feel like your lid is about to blow, take a long deep breath. Deep breathing releases tension, calms down our fight or flight reactions, and allows us to quiet our anxious nerves so we choose more considerate and constructive responses, no matter the situation.

So, for example, do your best to inhale and exhale next time another driver cuts you off in traffic. In a recent poll we conducted with our upcoming "Think Better, Live Better 2022" live event ticket holders, overreacting while fighting rush hour traffic (or preparing to fight rush hour traffic) was still one of the most commonly cited reasons for overreacting on an average weekday. Just imagine if all the drivers on the road took deep breaths before cutting someone off, making nasty hand gestures, or screaming obscenities to themselves.

There’s no doubt that it can drive us crazy when we don’t get what we expect from people, especially when they are being rude and difficult. But trying to change the unchangeable, wanting others to be exactly the way we want them to be, just doesn’t work. The alternative though is unthinkable to most of us: to breathe, to let go, to lead by example, and to accept people even when they irritate us.

Here’s the way of being that I’ve been cultivating and advocating:

  • To breathe deeply, and often.
  • To remind myself that I can’t control other people.
  • To remind myself that other people can handle their lives however they choose.
  • To not take their behavior personally.
  • To see the good in them.
  • To let go of the ideals and expectations I have about others that causes unnecessary frustration, arguments, and bouts of anger.
  • To remember that when others are being difficult, they are often going through a difficult time I know nothing about. And to give them empathy, love, and space.

“Being” this way—THINKING BETTER—takes practice, but it’s worth it. It makes me less frustrated, it helps me to be more mindful, it improves my relationships, it lowers my stress, and it allows me to make the world a slightly more peaceful place to be.

And that’s why we're making this process the foundation of our only in-person event of 2022 (you should join us).

I hope YOU will join us.

Our 6th annual live event, Think Better, Live Better 2022, is taking place on May 28-29, 2022 live in Orlando. There are only 2 early bird tickets left at 60% off!

We lined up 12 world-class experts that we HAND PICKED from hundreds of top authorities on happiness, simple living, relationships, sobriety, depression, productivity, and more.

Many of these experts charge hundreds of dollars for just one hour of their time. But at "Think Better, Live Better 2022" you can get their best strategies and tools for living at a fraction of the price when you grab a ticket to the event.

What will you discover at this life changing event?

We’re glad you asked. How about:

  • How to overcome hard times and roadblocks so you can do what matters consistently in your life
  • Crystal clear tactics to help you set and stick to healthy personal boundaries (without being disrespectful or a pushover)
  • Uncovering hidden beliefs that hold you back and the three powerful questions that will set you free
  • Smart ways to deal with toxic relationships -- especially if it's your family, co-workers or significant others...
  • A PROVEN SYSTEM for managing willpower so you can conquer mental fatigue and build momentum on auto-pilot
  • 3 stunningly simple (but brilliant) tactics to guarantee you start finishing the projects that matter most to you (This will 10x your productivity without using any extra effort).
  • And... so much more.

But you have to act quick—there are only 2 discounted seats left (we are keeping the theater at half capacity this year to make the environment extra spacious and comfortable for all)...

We only offer this in-person workshop and seminar once a year with very limited seating available.

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