Last night – dinnertime at the D’Agostinos.

“Dominic, stop smacking your lips.”

“Dominic, stop smacking your lips.”

“Dominic, please eat with your mouth closed.”

“Dominic, keep your mouth closed.”

And then I lost it…

“DOMINIC!!!!!!!!!”

As soon as I screamed his name, I could see my mistake.

At the sound of my booming voice, my 7-year-old son jumped out of his seat like he heard a gunshot.

He immediately burst into tears and ran from the kitchen.

My heart ached.

I had gone way too far.

And to what end?

Was it really that important my son keep his lips closed while eating?  Sure, it’s an annoying sound, but why was I so upset about it?

My anger wasn’t towards my son at all, here’s what it was about…

2 minutes before dinner started, I received an email stating a new project I’ve been working on since early October might all fall apart.

3 months of work potentially down the drain = ANGER.

No compensation for my efforts = SADNESS.

I must be at fault = SHAME.

The thought, “I’m not good enough” peppered my mind.

With negative thoughts and emotions racing inside…my son was the innocent bystander smacking his lips.

There’s a belief that even the most disciplined people only have a certain amount of discipline to tap into.

With my reserves empty after a first day back from the holidays, I snapped.

Several minutes after yelling and realizing my outburst had nothing to do with dinner time manners, I apologized to my son and told him Dad had made a mistake.

Dominic’s reply, “I’m not perfect Dad.”

Ugh, a dagger to the heart = SADNESS & SHAME.

I apologized again and offered a hug.

He declined.

Another minute later and we were hugging and the tension was cleared.

Back at the table, my son continued his lip smacking.

I smirked and let it go = JOY.

After dinner, I checked my phone and saw another email.

There was a misunderstanding and the 3-month project I was working on wasn’t in danger at all.

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Author Bio: Dan started Fired and Free in 2017, to provide his “truth” after being fired as CEO of the company he started and led. After a diverse 17-year career in management consulting and entrepreneurship, Dan now leads 3Sixty Leadership, where he provides coaching and consulting to business owners, helping them to improve their leadership and company culture.