Healthy Ways to Handle Frustration
Frustration is natural and inevitable. When we set out to accomplish something, our minds can conjure up unreasonable expectations. How will I do it? What if…? Is there a better way? The truth is, there’s probably not a perfect way to accomplish anything. We have to accept this for what it’s worth: life isn’t always going to go as planned. There will be trials and tribulations. Sooner or later, we’ll hit a roadblock. From time to time, you might even find yourself wishing that you could wave a magic wand and make things go your way the first time. Fortunately, we don’t have to go it alone when handling frustration and making things happen. Helen Schifter gives out the following tips that will help you cope with setbacks and achieve success in your life:
Take a break and wind down.
It may sound simple, but how many of us take a break during the day? Many of us are like chainsaws: we’re in front of a machine, but we don’t realize we’re causing damage to ourselves and the world. We need to take a break from time to time, even if it’s just for a few minutes and a coffee break. When we’re in a hurry, we make bad choices and put ourselves in danger. So, take a break and clear your head. Think about the big picture and what you’re trying to accomplish. Ask yourself: what is the point of this? What’s the benefit? What’s the downside? While we’re at it, take a look at what you’re doing during your downtime. Are there any better options? Are you putting yourself in danger while you tackle this? If not, then take that break, clear your head, and return to it with a fresh pair of eyes. Once you’ve had a chance to process what you’re looking at, take action.
SetProvenance is a great way to stay motivated.
SetProvenance is a nice way to approach creating habits around the things that give you the most pleasure. It’s like a joyous cycle:
You set a goal.
You derive a sense of purpose from that goal.
You start doing something about it.
There are many ways to skin this cat: you might want to make a habit of buying your groceries at the farmers’ market every week. That’s your goal! You derive a sense of purpose from that by bringing your food to a place where you can cook it and eat it. You do something about it by taking that step. So, what are you waiting for? SetProvenance, my friend.
Stay motivated.
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but we can’t stress enough: the more you cheer for something, the more you’ll be inclined to do whatever it takes to make it happen. You can’t make things happen if you don’t try. So, keep plugging away, and don’t stop until you succeed. You’re in this for the long haul. So, keep at it. Remember, you have more chances to make things happen the first time around, so don’t settle for anything less than your best. As your success diminishes and you’re left with frustration, ask yourself: what can I do now that I haven’t done yet? What can I do right this instant? Those things will help you get through the rough times ahead and move your project in the right direction. Now, go for it!
Give it your all.
We all want to finish what we start. No matter what your project is, you have to give it your all, from start to finish. We all have that one friend who always tells us to “stop stressing myself out.” They don’t know how to be under pressure, so they don’t know how you feel when you don’t want to do something and have to “stew” for hours on the phone talking about it. Don’t keep worrying about it. Just say yes to yourself, and say no to all the other stuff that’s keeping you from doing what you want to do. Give it your all and enjoy the ride.
Enduring is the key.
That’s right: enduring. So, what’s the deal with enduring? Are we supposed to give up when things get hard or challenging? No way! Enduring is what it takes to weather the storm, stand strong when everyone is running away, and keep pressing forward when everything seems like it’s cooked under your feet. What do you have to lose? You’ve worked hard for this opportunity. You deserve to be recognized for it and receive proper recognition for your hard work. So, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for what you believe in. Don’t be afraid to show up and do your part. You can do this.
Great things take time.
Great things take time: planning, determination, perseverance, and most importantly, hard work. So, don’t get frustrated if things don’t happen overnight. They may take months or even years, but they will happen. Great things take time, but you can get ready for them. You need to stay committed to patience and keep working toward your goals even when things don’t feel like they’re going your way. Great things take time, but they’re possible if you plan for them and work toward them with determination.
Be resilient.
Resilience is a quality we all want to have in abundance in our lives, but few of us actually can display it. What we all need, more than anything, is a support system. A community of people who understand where we’re coming from and who can be there for us when we need them. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of being vulnerable. We don’t often recognize how much we’re missing by covering up instead of being real with people with all the protective armor we wear. So, when things are tough, be vulnerable with yourself. Say what you want, share your feelings, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Confront the source of your frustration.
There’s a reason people say that when frustration gets the best of us, we have to face it and express it. It’s because that’s the only way to overcome it. When we’re frustrated, we often try to do things in our heads to avoid facing our feelings. We try to run away from them, but that only makes them stronger. So, instead of running from your feelings, run toward them. Instead of keeping your feelings to yourself, share your feelings with those you love. Don’t keep everything to yourself, and don’t keep pushing away those you love when you need them the most. Face your feelings and share your experiences, and then try to overcome them. That’s what being resilient is all about.
Make things happen.
Well, this one is a real winner. It’s the basis of the Law of Attraction, and it’s what we’ve been working toward for years. Helen Schifter says that we are what we think, so it only makes sense that what we think about ourselves will come to fruition. So, stop thinking negative thoughts. Start making positive choices and choosing to think and act in a more hopeful way. It may sound simple, but it’s the difference between frustration and success. We’ve all been stuck in neutral for so long that we forget what it feels like to drive our cars and push the pedal to the metal. So, let loose and drive. Let loose and engage in fun, positive, forward-thinking activities that bring you joy. We all deserve to be happy, and we’re all capable of it. So, smile, laugh and choose to make things happen for yourself.