When faced with a situation where anger arises, here is a quick anger management formula to help you get your mind clear, right on the spot. The instant you notice, “Oh yeah, here we go: I’m starting to burn with anger,” stop right there and give yourself the option to act with control.

Stop in your tracks, and deliberately say to yourself that you have the choice to do one of two things:

1. I can play out my anger in familiar and painful ways.
2. I can stop in my tracks, and take charge of my state of mind.

With the first option, well, we all know what happens there. But with the second option you are empowering yourself to hold your seat, to be in your strength and take the higher road. That’s it. This anger management exercise is designed to be super simple and thus right to the point.

A good thing to do with this exercise is to make a commitment to yourself to work with it for a given period of time, say one day, three days in a row, or one week, etc. Then, every time you feel angry during the commitment time period, really give it your best effort.

This exercise isn’t easy but the simplicity can help you cut through. Memorize the two options and you will have more success.

By Craig Mollins