Count to 10 before hitting send

By Mayo Clinic staff

Original Article:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-blog/MY01678
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  • Stress blog

  • Feb. 3, 2011

    Count to 10 before hitting send

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

3 comments posted

Last week one of my colleagues, a respected researcher, watched her project evaporate with the stroke of an accountant's pen. She was devastated. She was angry. She was ready to shoot off a flaming email. But instead she took several days to deliberate about her situation. She then chose to explain to leadership in a calm but forceful way the unfairness of the situation. She knew she was right, but she also recognized that the situation wasn't going to change.

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  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

She could have complained and attacked the system, but she understood that the cost would've been too great. She chose instead to close that chapter and to move on with dignity and poise.

My colleague set an admirable example that others would be well advised to follow. She had the wisdom not to react in haste. She took the time to let her feelings subside. Only then, after careful deliberation, did she respond.

3 comments posted

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MY01678 Feb. 3, 2011

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