Man, they can get under my skin. I feel my pulse quicken, my blood pressure rise, and the adrenaline rush through my system.

My cortisol level must be through the roof.

I’m no doctor, but I know that after one of those meetings or phone calls, my stress level is exceedingly high. It takes it out of me to do and say all the things I’m supposed to do and say.

“It sounds like you’re feeling…”

“Um, ah, tell me more about that…”

I listen, listen, listen, listen, and get increasingly agitated.

Even when the meeting goes well and the client ends up back on track, all is not well. I’m ruined. My day has likely come completely off the rails. I’ll be reliving that call for hours.

How to Get Your Mind Back on Track

It’s critical that I let it go. I’ve got stuff to do. I’ve got a full plan for the day, and there’s no way I’ll perform as required if I’m evaluating everything I said, did, or didn’t do in that meeting. I’ve got to release it, and it’s worth investing a few minutes right now to get my equilibrium back before I waste hours doing crappy work because I wasn’t able to focus properly.

Here are some of your options for letting it go:

1. Hit the gym. You skipped it this morning anyway, and you’ll be pleased if you do it, so go right now. Yep, you’ll need to juggle your schedule, but you’re better off hitting the reset button than proceeding with your system running poorly.
2. Walk. Okay, you’ve got some good excuse for not going to the gym (shorts at home?). Go for a walk. Just circle the block a few times. Get moving. Push yourself a little, elevate your heartbeat, and get yourself breathing.
3. Sit. Do some short meditation. Breathe very deeply. Do nothing for 10 minutes and just breathe. Inhale and exhale so loudly that your thoughts can’t be heard. Focus on the tip of your nose and not on your client. If you need a tech-driven approach to sitting quietly, try Relax.li.
4. Call someone. Call your best friend to chat. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time and check in. Connect with someone about something entirely unrelated to your work.
5. Pet your dog. Do you bring a dog to the office? Personally, that’s not my thing, but the experts say petting your animal can get you back on track (plus the dog likes it). If you didn’t bring the dog, then head outside and borrow one from someone on the street. Who doesn’t like their dog getting some extra love, right? Don’t let that stranger dog bite your hand, okay?
6. Plan your next vacation. Get your attention diverted to something pleasant. Spend 10 minutes on a travel site booking your next vacation. Figure out the where, when, and what, and get the plan started. Search YouTube for a video of your destination and let it wash over you.
7. Make some tea. The process of making tea is calming. Heat the water, prepare the tea, sit down, and sip it. This will take 10 minutes and help you calm yourself. Watch this video if you need help with the process.

You don’t need to do all seven. Just pick one, and your day will head back to the productivity zone. If you simply press on, you’ll find the agitation bubbling up to the surface throughout the day. Be proactive by hitting the reset button and getting back on track.