About this quote

Anger takes away time you could be using for something better. It doesn't have to sweep you up; you can notice it and stop it before it fills the next hour. Try a concrete move: count ten seconds, breathe, and ask what action actually needs doing. If you do that consistently, you end the small losses and get more of your day back.

When to use it

• After being passed over for a promotion at work, I told myself I wouldn't spend the week furious and spent the weekend polishing my portfolio instead.
• When my teenager slammed the door and walked out, I remembered Emerson and cooled down for ten minutes before I called, so the conversation stayed useful.
• After the referee blew the call in the game, I took three deep breaths and focused on my next play instead of arguing with him.
• When I discovered a billing error and felt my blood rise, I set a five-minute timer, wrote down the facts, then phoned customer service calmly.