No regrets:

Nearly all of us have experienced moments of sheer frustration, perhaps even anger, when we've been pushed to the edge of our emotions and made a decision which is not the right one.

"When we get frustrated, we often do things that are not positive," says Ken Lindner, author or a recently released book entitled Your Killer Emotions.

"Emotions are neither good nor bad per se. It's what you end up doing that's either toxic or positive," he says.

So how do you make sure that you make good decisions when it matters most, and not ones you may regret? Here are three tips from Lindner.

1.  Never make an important decision when angry or frustrated

When caught in the heat of the moment, Lindner says to take a step back, and evaluate the situation from a clearer place. We tend to make irrational decisions when emotion is driving the decision, says Lindner. Even if you're tempted to prove someone else wrong, or have your side of the story understood, don't lash out. "Cool down first, and think about what you really want out of it."

2.  Focus on the big picture

We have a tendency to forget the big picture when we're angry. Lindner says he remembers a time when, in the final stages of a business deal, the terms of the arrangement changed. "If I had yelled and screamed, I would probably have lost the deal entirely," he explains. "That wasn't what I wanted." He says once you've taken the time to calm down, think about what your goals are in a particular situation and stay true to those goals. Anger or frustration is likely to be temporary - your goals are not. 

3.  Be aware of the consequences

A quick way to re-focus on what matters and to not act like a hot head is to think about what you've already invested in the situation and in yourself. For instance, if it's a work situation, how long has it taken to get to this position? What are the consequences if you lash out? One poor decision can affect everything you're worked for. Lindner cites Warren Buffett: "It can take 20 years to build a reputation, and five minutes to ruin it."

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Ken Lindner's Your Killer Emotions is available at Amazon.