#55 | 7.12.24 - How To Get Through a Bad Day / 5 Lessons from Inside Out 2 / Hellos and Goodbyes / Call From Microsoft?
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How To Get Through a Bad Day
I’m going to assume that most people who read this are human (which could be a stretch in our ever-increasing AI world 😆). That being said, I’m sure we all have experienced a bad day. Maybe it was one of these:
Someone sends you an email that was… less than useful or kind.
You get bad news.
A conflict arises between you and a coworker.
No particular reason other than you weren’t in a great mood.
Yes, bad days happen. The question is, how do we deal with a bad day that doesn’t make it worse?
Ask yourself, “What would an emotionally intelligent person do?”
I heard this tip a while back, and it stuck with me.
Emotional intelligence involves cultivating an awareness of how your attitudes and behaviors affect others and using this understanding to enhance team dynamics and support others.
The book Emotional Intelligence (a great read, by the way!) states that emotionally intelligent individuals rarely allow their emotional state to affect others. These individuals have developed strategies to regulate their emotions, thus avoiding negative impacts on others.
✅Pro Tip: When you find yourself having a bad day, literally ask yourself, “What would an emotionally intelligent person do?”. Imagine what they would do, then do everything in your power to do that. This works surprisingly well!
Take a second
Oh, I get it, believe me. That person deserves a sharply written email response, or the guy who cut you off deserves to be chased down and given a piece of your mind!
From experience, if you follow through with that impulse, I will almost guarantee you’ll do or say something you wish you could take back.
✅Pro Tip: Take a second. Breathe.
Don’t make any big decisions
There is so much science around this, which I’ve written about before. Studies show that when we experience anger, trauma, or conflict, our reasoning skills are biologically impaired. Thus, one of the worst times to make a decision is when you’re upset or feeling down. Your emotions will always guide you to things you’ll likely regret.
✅Pro Tip: Avoid making decisions for the future based on your current emotional state.
Seek out a short-term win
Even if you don’t feel like it, divert your energy to accomplishing something positive, mundane as it may be. While you may not be in the best head space, small wins can still have a massive effect on your day.
Personally, I will take a 15-minute walk or get some sort of exercise. The physical change causes a mental shift for the rest of my day.
✅Pro Tip: Organize a drawer, rake leaves, fill up your gas tank, have a run — do something that gives you a win.
Call it a day
Sometimes the day is really bad. In that case, don’t keep ‘trucking through’ your to-do items. If you have a schedule in which you can set your own hours, do so. If not, use a few hours of sick or vacation time. Trust me, it’s worth it.
My Wife has a habit of commenting, “I’m helping my future self by doing this.”
✅Pro Tip: Help your future self and call it a day. It may help you produce a better outcome tomorrow.
Bad days happen to us all, and they will likely continue to occur from time to time. The trick is not to let your actions today perpetuate the bad day into tomorrow!
5 Lessons from Inside Out 2
I know, I know. I wrote about the film Inside Out 2 last week. But it really is that good. Plus, apparently, my Instagram feed needed this post from @thebraincoach in it, which I enjoyed.
Hellos and Goodbyes
Here is a great reminder I read this week:
Attend to your presence in your hellos and goodbyes. Take a moment to individually acknowledge your staff when they arrive and depart each day. Each personal greeting, even a few seconds, is an opportunity to communicate how much you appreciate the people you work with everyday. “Good morning, Tom, did you have a nice gathering with your extended family on the weekend?” “Have a good night, Susan, and hey, I really appreciated your wisdom at the tactical meeting today. Good luck with the parent-teacher interviews.” These seemingly simple gestures are powerful opportunities to build rapport, show empathy, and cultivate meaningful relationships.
Call From Microsoft?
One of the highlights of my day is when scammers try to call me, trying to convince me that my computer is infected. I saw this conversation online this week that made me chuckle:
"Hello, how are you today?"
"I'm very well thank you for asking, how are you and more to the point, WHO are you?"
"Madam, my name is Sanjit, and I'm calling you from Microsoft.”
"Microsoft, is that a city in Pakistan?”
" No Madam, MICROSOFT, the computer company. I'm calling to tell you that we have found a problem with your computer.”
"REALLY, that's quite concerning.”
"Yes Madam, it can become very serious indeed but thankfully I will be able to fix it for you.”
"No, I meant it's very concerning because I don't HAVE a computer.”
“You don't?"
“No.”
"Ahh, it must be a problem on your laptop Madam.”
"Don't have one.”
"Ipad?"
"Nope.”
"Tablet?"
"I have none of those things. As a matter of fact, I don't even have a telephone.”
After a few seconds of silence he said "Madam, you are lying to me now!"
I said "Well, you started it!!" and hung up.
Words to wrap up
“My life changed when I became responsible for inventing the life I wanted”
- Nedra Glover Tawwab
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself