A lot of times when we get angry, we tell ourselves that we just need to “chill out” and move on. We push the anger away.
But anger can actually be a good thing. We can channel our Anger into a force for Good.
Consider this quote by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
“We should all be angry. Anger has a long history of bringing about positive change; but, in addition to being angry, I’m also hopeful. Because I believe deeply in the ability of human beings to make and remake themselves for the better.”
The process of focusing our anger for good includes:
*Owning and Embracing the Anger. Don’t push it away. Say to yourself “Yes! I am angry!”
*Give Voice to the Anger. Tell people who care about you and respect you what you are angry about. Get it out and let it rage.
*Let it Settle. Once you let the anger out, take some quiet time. Do some mindful meditation to just “be” with your anger.
*Make an Action Plan. Forge a plan on how you can take positive action to address the root cause of what made you angry.
*Stay Focused and Intense. Use the emotion of the anger to fuel your intensity as you carry out your action plan, but do it in a strategic and laser focused fashion.
Austin Channing Brown once said:
“Anger is not inherently destructive. My anger can be a force for good. My anger can be creative and imaginative, seeing a better world that doesn’t yet exist. It can fuel a righteous movement toward justice and freedom.”
Let’s focus our anger to make the world a better place.
*Ideas for this blog taken from: The Mindful Leader blog, “Mindful Anger: 5 Steps to Turn Fury to Focus,” March 18, 2025.
