Do people on this forum ever make you madder than a cat falling into a swimming pool?

Someone says or does something here on the forum, on a blog or elsewhere. Instantly you get that seething flash of anger. Cheeks hot. Seeing red. All ready to play "keyboard cowboy" and type off the nastiest, snarkiest reply you can think of.

Wait, hold up there cowboy or cowgirl. Take a deep breath. Again. And back away from the keyboard.

Let's look at the emotions that cause these kind of knee-jerk reactions. Usually it's some form of anger and/or jealousy.

Did the person that made you mad jump out of your screen and bloody your nose?

Nah, I didn't think so. And I bet if you look really close, you'll realize that the person didn't personally attack you. In a lot of cases, the post that got you riled up probably didn't even have anything to do with you!

Am I right?

So, what got you so hopping mad then?

Just this: Your brain is sending you a big ol' signal that you're NOT currently doing what you're supposed to do or what you really want to do. And you're going to keep being a heart attack waiting to happen until you start doing it.

Consider these examples:


1. Newbie Joe Blow posts on the forum that he made $100 this month. Instead of congratulating him and feeling good for his achievements (or just ignoring him), you snark about how he's a small thinker who's getting way too excited about a small achievement.

Hmmm -- maybe you're just upset that you haven't yet made YOUR first $100? Sounds like you're really mad at yourself, but Joe Blow sure makes a nice target.



2. Suzy Awesomewriter puts out a WSO product on the same topic you've been thinking about doing. You get pissed off. You start hating Suzy. You tell yourself your book would be MUCH better. And you find yourself sniping and making little "digs" at Suzy every chance you get.

Hmm -- maybe you're just upset because you've thought of doing this same book for MONTHS... but you haven't taken action? Sounds like you're really mad at yourself, but Suzy sure makes a nice target.



3. News spreads around that Marketer Mitch just had a $250,000 product launch. You get pissed because you have a similar product that is much better than Marketer Mitch's product. How come HE made so much money? So you join the current "hate the guru" thread that rips on Mitch. Feels good to be snarky and mean.

Hmmmm -- maybe you're just upset that you didn't take the massive action and preparation required to have your own big six-figure product launch. Sounds like you're really mad at yourself, but being mean to Mitch just feels so good.


***

Bottom line: Next time you feel that flash of anger or twinge of jealousy, figure out why. It has nothing to do with the other person. It's all about YOU.

Use your anger as a signal to guide you to a better, more productive path. Use it to become a better marketer... and a better person.

Cheers,
Becky