Sometimes we are in emotional overload over a situation and we burst with a biting remark. We say it in attempt to make ourselves feel better.

When we are feeling overwhelmed with negative emotion (stress, anxiety) before saying or doing anything, we ought to pause and take a breath. Ask ourselves: “What is the outcome I want this next move to achieve? In other words, what do I want to happen as a result of my next words?” Is it to vent? To share how are feeling? To get support? To make the other person feel bad? Feel bad for you?

Choose your words (and tone and body language) that will most likely get you the results you want.

It is worthwhile to learn to tolerate difficult emotions so they don’t overwhelm us and get in the way of our intended impact on others.