Yelling At The TV - Grasshopper

I’ve noticed something lately.

I yell at the TV more often.

And apparently, I’ve started yelling at artificial intelligence, too – especially when I’m trying to get through to customer service.

“LIVE AGENT!”

Looking back, I’ve always talked back to the TV. But lately, I’m doing it more often – and a whole lot louder.

I seem to have three favorite opportunities to yell.

Sporting events.
Medicine commercials.
And professional broadcasters who mispronounce a word.

I’m guessing I’m not alone with these eruptions.

So it got me wondering: what’s causing all these outbursts?

The first answer that came to mind was frustration.

Of course.

But then I realized something.

None of my yelling changes a thing.

It doesn’t fix the boneheaded basketball play I’m reacting to.
It doesn’t make the AI suddenly connect me to a human being.
And it certainly doesn’t make the broadcaster hear my correction from my living room—although I’m pretty sure I’m loud enough to reach the next county.

All that yelling has absolutely no effect on what’s happening.

Except one.

It affects me.

And not in a particularly good way.

So I’ve made it a little mission of mine to curb these outbursts.

I decided to take my own advice – which, for me, is a rarity.

When I notice the reaction starting, I interrupt it in midstream.
And if I miss that opportunity, I interrupt it right afterward.

It does two things.

First, it makes me aware of just how ineffective my frustration is.
And second, it helps condition me to do it less often.

It’s a work in progress.

But I figure, like most worthwhile things, they’re worth doing poorly at first.

The good news is, my vocal cords are getting a break.
And my neighbors no longer think I’m going crazy.

Now the only yelling I do is at the person who’s not picking up their dog’s do-do.

All the best,