6 Ideas for Working Through Frustrations
Experiencing frustration at work is a common experience, but it can also be detrimental to an individual’s well-being and productivity if not managed effectively. Frustrations can send you down a negative rabbit hole of thinking that things will never get better, or you will continually be stuck, etc. You may be in a negative mindset because you see your situation through the lens of things not working out, so do your best to shift your thoughts and perspective.
Here are 6 tips on how to work through the frustrations in your job or business:
Identify the source of your frustration: Take a moment to reflect on why you are feeling frustrated. If you are so busy just trying to get through the day, take a quick moment to pause and reflect. Are you frustrated because you are struggling to achieve a particular goal or milestone? Is it due to a miscommunication with your colleagues? Identifying the source of your frustration and being aware is the first step in determining how to address it¹.
Reframe your mindset: Reframing your mindset means looking at the situation from a different perspective. Consider how you can use your frustrations to drive you and motivate you in the direction of your dreams. Sometimes, a change in mindset can help reduce frustration. For example, instead of seeing a delay in a project as a setback, you could view it as an opportunity to re-assess the project’s goals and potential obstacles².
Communicate your concerns: If you’re feeling frustrated because of a communication breakdown, expressing your frustrations to the appropriate person can help. Stress can come from miscommunications if there are different team members that are not all aligned. See if you can express your frustrations and find solutions to bring to your manager/supervisor. Schedule a meeting with your colleagues or manager/supervisor to discuss your concerns and find ways to work collaboratively to resolve any issues³.
Write down your feelings: Journaling and writing down your feelings can be a helpful way to work through your frustration. Take some time to journal about what’s bothering you and to determine why it’s frustrating you. This may help you see the situation from a new perspective⁴. Writing things down can help you release your frustrations and let go. When you put pen to paper, the process of just writing things down can help release the frustrations and tensions that you carry (consciously or unconsciously) within your body.
Take breaks and practice self-care: Taking breaks can help you recharge and refocus, especially when you feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Engage in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or taking a walk outside to reduce stress and clear your mind⁵.
Manage your own expectations. Consider what you expect from yourself. Are your expectations and goals realistic or do they need to be adjusted?
By taking these steps, individuals can work through their frustration in a productive and healthy manner, ultimately leading to a greater sense of empowerment and fulfillment in their jobs or businesses.
Sources:
Harvard Business Review. “Feeling Frustrated at Work? Here’s What You Can Do.” https://hbr.org/2020/02/feeling-frustrated-at-work-heres-what-you-can-do.
Forbes. “5 Simple Ways To Boost Your Brain Power.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/08/21/5-simple-ways-to-boost-your-brain-power/?sh=74a72b2f2e73.
Psychology Today. “Dealing With Frustration in the Workplace.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-resilient-leader/201907/dealing-frustration-in-the-workplace.
Medium. “How to Work Through Frustration in Your Career.” https://medium.com/the-mission/how-to-work-through-frustration-in-your-career-dfdf7ac348ce.
HelpGuide.org. “Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress.” https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm.
Sign-up for a free daily prompts download today:
https://www.carolynconsulting.com/freedownload
Thanks as always, for taking the time to read my articles.
