5 Ways to Turn Anger into Positive Action

We all have the ability to channel our anger into positive action. The saying “to deny your anger is to deny your power” is an extremely profound pearl of wisdom. Anger, like all emotions, is a powerful indicator and can help motivate problem solving. Anger is an asset, a creative emotional tool that can be used to self-advocate while being productive, effective, and self-empowered. Anger can be turned into effective communication and positive action.

Mitch Abblett, Ph. D, author of “From Anger to Action” noted that anger can be “a glowing source of energy for lighting our way through challenging relationships where others might be stepping on our toes; pushing for needed changes in your workplace culture when it’s toxic; and perhaps even making yourself heard when certain people in your life [like family] are used to tuning you out with assumptions and their own agendas.”

Anger, he said, provides us with the “emotional fuel” to advocate for ourselves, to take skillful action, and to stand up for what’s right. Anger is one of the strongest emotions we can feel. It invokes motivation, power, push, and drive.

It’s a beautiful life now has compiled a list of “8 Ways to Turn Anger into Positive Action”.

• Recognize Anger as Information. 

Recognizing anger as information can change the mind in a positive way when channeled toward a peaceful and balanced resolution. Anger can be transformative and lead to more desirable outcomes when staying on the positive side of the emotion. Anger can inform and signal that a particular situation is not the way it should be. Often time’s informative anger can be triggered by injustice, a personal boundary breaker, or from a wrong inflicted on humanity.  While anger can have both a positive and negative outcome depending on how the anger is channeled, the positive side of anger is the empowered action it can trigger, the force for good it can become if channeled constructively, and the sense of purpose it can create or awaken. Recognizing anger as information can be a catalyst for change.

• Gain clarity

Gaining clarity about anger is a key component of turning anger into positive action.  According to the Harvard Business Review’s article on “What to Do When Anger Takes Hold”, repression or submission of anger can lead to misguided and/or uncontrolled actions. The article goes on to truly state that “to succeed in life and in leadership, we need to act powerfully in the context of strong emotions and still have the impact we intend.” Sounds good right? But how do we make this happen? We make this happen by fully feeling our emotions, and making a strategic choice about what to do about it. Being Mindful and present within. It’s not about changing the fact that we feel or are angry, it’s about channeling our anger to invoke positive change within ourselves and our community. Mindfulness Meditation is a way to gain clarity around our emotions and sit with feelings without judging. “7 Reasons to Begin a Mindfulness Mediation practice” states that Mindfulness Meditation fosters a sense of inner peace and emotional regulation, while increasing mental clarity, focus, and awareness. 

• Channel anger into something worthwhile, positive and creative.

To turn your anger into something positive is to take responsibility for the thoughts and actions surrounding the feeling of anger. In the Psychology Today article, “Want to Change, Get Angry?” Marcia Reynolds Psy.D explains that “the skill is to shift the focus of your anger away from external circumstances to instead focus on what you strongly desire to change within yourself. You must shift internally before you can change your external reality.” The article goes onto state that “anger can be a great mobilizer of positive action and once you commit to your transformation journey, you should shift your focus away from what is missing in your life (evoking anger) to what you want to passionately and positively create (inspiring passion). Determine what you want to end and then make the shift from a negative to a positive expression of want you deeply desire to create.” 

“If you’re still looking for that one person to change your life, look in the mirror” __Buddha. 

• Take Action

Turning anger into positive action actually requires one word: action! Anger can be a debilitating feeling as anger is often viewed as a wrong and negative emotion. Recognizing anger as information, gaining clarity, and channeling anger into something worthwhile, positive, and creative all require action. 

These actions will lead to a more positive and productive outcome. Realizing the importance of anger, learning as you go, and combatting anger with a positive outlook and action will help in moving toward positive self-care, empowerment, and self-awareness.  According to Harvard Business Review’s article on “Taking Ownership of Your Actions by Taking Responsibility”, “The responsibility is yours, and it starts with developing a belief or habit of mind that you, as an individual, are accountable for the quality and timeliness of an outcome. The article goes on to state that “Living with personal responsibility can make us stronger and more action-oriented individuals. It’s up to you to make change and take responsibility for outcomes in your life.” 

• Be Accountable

“Accountability is the glue that binds commitment to results” – Bob Procter

Achieving anything requires a level of accountability and commitment. Turning anger into positive action takes a level of self-commitment and self-accountability to be able to recognize anger as information, gain clarity, and channel anger into something worthwhile, positive, and creative. According to the Huff post article “4 Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable to Your Goals”, “At the end of the day, success in anything comes from making it a priority. Wanting to achieve something isn’t enough. You have to make the conscious effort to better your life.”

We all have the inner strength and power to turn our anger into an opportunity for growth. All emotions hold opportunity for growth, anger is no different.  I began this article with a quote from the Buddha that states “You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger”. I believe the choice is yours.