[WI] 10 Fantastic Ways to Handle Frustration

You might feel unfulfilled when those high expectations you have, are not met.

It causes frustration that cannot be avoided, but there’s good news-  you can learn how to easily manage it effectively.

It’s not great – or good – to be frustrated and you certainly won’t enjoy it (just like sitting in the traffic with the minutes ticking by) but all is not lost.

It is something you can use to your benefit and get positive benefits. It’s an indication of something you believe – and know – you should and can be doing better.

Just like peak-hour traffic is a sign that you started off too late, frustration is also a sign that what you are currently doing – or the way you are doing it- is not working.

But be careful – frustration is also something that can turn your apple cart over…

Here are ten easy methods you can use to tackle frustration like a pro (except maybe golfers…):

1. Look back at what you have managed to do and how far you have come. Frustration becomes worse when you realize how far you still are from your goal. Stop and look back at your progress; celebrate the success you’ve had so far. Continual advancement is an undisputable way to reach success. Dodge frustration by sharpening your focus all the time and remain positive.
2. Take more time than you know you should need. Plans don’t always work out the way you intended, just like it always seem to take longer when moving into a new home or learning to speak a new language.

• Get going early and include a worst case scenario. When you have a rough week, it should allow you enough time to catch up.

3. Stay in the current moment. The present moment is perfect as it is. It is when your mind jumps around, jumping backwards and forwards, that frustration starts setting in. You might become frustrated when your expectations aren’t met – you’re trying to do something, but because it didn’t work, it frustrates you. It’s easy to be frustrated by the past.
4. Find out what causes your frustration. Certain situations and happenings – and especially people – can trigger it. List those triggers; write them down. Isn’t there a way you can avoid those things that cause your frustrations- those people and situations? Can’t you find a way to work around them? But, like paying your taxes – if you absolutely can’t avoid a trigger, make the best of the situation by preparing yourself and simply accept it so that you can remain calm.
5. Don’t expect the impossible. If you are always expecting too much from others, it will cause a lot of frustration. Although people are unpredictable, their history can be a good pointer of how they’ll behave in future.
6. Let loose the hidden Hemingway in you -write about it. If you can’t sleep or your mind keeps racing, write down your thoughts. Spend some time on it. List the things in your life that frustrates you. Read each item, breathe deep, and relax. Before you know it, you’ll reach the end, and you will feel so much better.
7. Don’t forget the times when, in the past, frustration got a good hold of you. Think of the days in your teens when you were so frustrated. Can you remember any – I’m sure you can now see how silly they have been. Looking at today, you’ll probably feel the same way 10 or 15 years from now.

• But, here’s a secret – instead of waiting a decade or more to feel better, you can make that choice right here and right now to simply CHOOSE to feel better today.

8. Take it on the chine – accept responsibility. The easiest way is to pass the buck; blame it on someone else. Be careful- you are falling into a trap. As long as you blame someone else, you are giving up the power to make the changes needed. But, by accepting responsibility for and taking charge of the situation, you are still in the driving seat to turn it around.
9. Draw up your own list of criteria to beat your frustration. The best ideas will come from you! Sit down and make a list of 25 ways that will help you either prevent frustration or reduce it. Contemplate your typical day and the possible frustrations you might come up to. Just think of all the many things you can do to have a better day – for instance, get up slightly earlier to beat the traffic; watch less TV and tuck in for the night a bit earlier to feel fresher in the morning… the list is endless.
10. Use your frustration for your benefit. Frustration is never completely negative. It is quite capable of stimulating your imagination. It also gives you reason to truly believe you can -and should – be doing better. And guess what – this might even improve your ability to focus easier and find solutions better.

Anyone who is never frustrated, simply isn’t trying hard enough. Everyone regularly gets frustrated.

The secret here is to manage your frustration, and use it for your benefit.

Take advantage. Frustration indicates that a new approach is required.

Become inspired and use your creative abilities to find solutions to the challenges that cause frustration in your life.

Study the frustration that you are experiencing at the moment and find some strategies to either get rid of it entirely or at least minimize and then manage it.