In business, what can provide the same sort of ‘release’ as tourette’s syndrome?
I took the bus downtown today. I had a meeting at 1pm, and allowed plenty of time for normal Chicago public transportation delays. The obstacles our ride experienced went far beyond ‘normal’: multiple construction points, a semi-truck blocking the route, bad weather, an extra-timid driver. Even my cushion of time was at stake.
As frustration rose among the passengers, one guy in the back started muttering—eventually screaming—his point of view about the whole thing. Now, I’m no doctor, but it’s likely that this fella either had tourette’s syndrome, a mental instability, or both. Still, I couldn’t help but be a bit envious at his apparent lack of care for whom he was bothering. He was getting his release, come h-ll or high water!
Now, I personally do not believe that it’s appropriate to show rage or intense frustrations in public, and most certainly not in the work environment either. Yet, allowing tensions to build up also does no good to anyone.
What’s the best release for professionals who want to be mindful of others while also letting go of any frustrations they may have in a moment?
Here are my favorites:
-Leave work early. Plan on making up the time later (if needed) that evening or the next morning.
-Go outside to an area where there’s no one else around, and feel free to scream as if you have the classic swear-up-a-storm version of tourettes. You’ll likely end up laughing at yourself eventually, especially when (or if!!) you run out of obscenities.
-Take a walk for one hour before returning to the work environment. During this time, listen to your favorite music or podcast; don’t brood and let yourself get even more pissed off.
-Close your door, or go to a quiet space where you can take 15 minutes to yourself. Set your clock alarm. Re-visit the last time that you felt calm. Was it earlier that day? The day prior? The week prior? Whenever it was, revisit that moment in time. Imagine it all. Your environment, your mood, your outfit, your energy level. Put yourself in that place and stay there for your 15 minute break.
-Do the same as above, but instead, write down fast and furious (for a specific length of time; use the alarm!) all the reasons you’re pissed off. It can be intelligible, but get it out there. Exclamations and other dramatic punctuation, profanities, dark underlines, capital letters are all welcome! Get it out of you; move that energy from within your depths to the paper upon which you write. When you are done, wad or tear it up and toss it out.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Would love to hear your thoughts.
