{"id":10328,"date":"2012-05-14T21:37:43","date_gmt":"2012-05-15T05:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=10328"},"modified":"2013-09-18T09:24:29","modified_gmt":"2013-09-18T17:24:29","slug":"4-ways-to-unlock-yourself-from-chronic-frustration-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/4-ways-to-unlock-yourself-from-chronic-frustration-2\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways to Unlock Yourself from Chronic Frustration"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There have been many times in my life when I thought I was angry, only to discover that it was really frustration. Frustration, at its core is wanting something to be other than it is: A different time; a different place; a different color; a different job; a different feeling; a different person. It doesn\u2019t matter what it is, you just want it to be different.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Since you probably don\u2019t have a magic lamp with a wish-granting genie inside, I am guessing that you have probably been frustrated at one time or another. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For many us, a lot of our frustration comes from our deepest desires being constantly unmet. \u00a0If you\u2019ve been chasing something for years, and don\u2019t feel like you\u2019re getting any closer, you\u2019re going to feel frustrated. \u00a0There may be times when you feel like screaming to no one in particular, \u201cJust give me what I want already!\u201d\u00a0 And for some of us, it\u2019s other people who seem to be our primary source of aggravation.\u00a0 They\u2019re simply not cooperative, courteous, appreciative, or thoughtful enough for our liking, or maybe they just refuse to see things our way.<\/p>\n

So what is it that has you pulling your hair out, swearing under your breath, and banging your head against the wall? \u00a0Who is it that has you completely mad?\u00a0 Is it your boss?\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s your rude neighbors?\u00a0 Does your significant other refuse to budge on an important issue?<\/p>\n

Do you find yourself increasingly annoyed with our elected officials?\u00a0 Why can\u2019t they deliver on their promises? Are you sick of struggling to pay the bills, or tired of dragging in your studies?\u00a0 Fed up with your dead end job? \u00a0Are you exasperated that no matter how hard you try, you can\u2019t seem to lose weight and get in shape?<\/p>\n

All of these examples are common sources of frustration, and most of us learn to deal with and accept them.\u00a0 However, some problems can get you so down, that they can negatively affect the quality of your life.\u00a0 You could find yourself so overwhelmed and beat down by frustration that you start spending your days wallowing in despair.\u00a0 Also, chronic frustration will eventually rob you of your motivation, and have you ready to just give up.<\/p>\n

Unlocking yourself from feeling chronic frustration is not as hard as it might seem at first glance.\u00a0 But it does require a drastic change in attitude.\u00a0 You must resolve to stop giving in to feelings of hopelessness, and start finding solutions.\u00a0 Here are four good tips for freeing yourself from the clutches of frustration:<\/p>\n

Find A Way to Vent<\/strong><\/p>\n

A big part of frustration is the feeling is that nobody\u2019s listening, nobody understands, or nobody cares.\u00a0 Finding effective ways to vent and be heard can go a long way towards curbing the feeling of being totally flustered. \u00a0Annoyed with your neighbors?\u00a0 Then join or create a neighborhood association to, among other things, address your issues.\u00a0 Is there serious friction between you and your spouse?\u00a0 Schedule a couple\u2019s therapy session, or seek out the assistance of your local clergy.\u00a0 Can\u2019t seem to drop that extra 20lbs?\u00a0 Arrange a consultation with a personal trainer or local nutritionist, and describe to them your weight loss challenges.\u00a0 Heck, sometimes all it takes is the willingness to open up to a trusted friend or relative, and confide in them some of your struggles.\u00a0 Although your problems won\u2019t vanish instantly, the burden of carrying your angst in silence will be lifted considerably.<\/p>\n

Set Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most maddeningly frustrating thing about most bothersome situations is the feeling that you\u2019re just treading water; in other words, you\u2019re going nowhere.\u00a0 However, by setting goals you\u2019re taking definite action towards a solution, or resolution of some sort.\u00a0 The knowledge that you\u2019re actively working on the problem instead of just being frustrated about is very reassuring, and can help abate any feelings of defeatism trying to creep in.<\/p>\n

When I felt thwarted by my sluggish weight loss, here\u2018s what I did:\u00a0 I simply set a goal to exercise a certain number of times each week, and eat six servings of fruits and veggies every day.\u00a0 That\u2019s it.\u00a0 This simple goal really helped me stay focused, and the realization that I would reach my objective, no matter how slowly, did wonders for my motivation.<\/p>\n

Change Your Perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rarely can you come up with an effective solution to a problem or challenge when you\u2019ve given into frustration about it.\u00a0 One way to free yourself from this trap is to change your perspective, so that you can see the positive in your situation.\u00a0 Are you frustrated over work, or one of the lucky ones to have a job?\u00a0 Is your wife driving you crazy, or are you counting your blessings that you have someone?\u00a0 Is a client slow to pay, or are you fortunate to have clients? \u00a0Surprisingly, when you shift your stance this way, uncanny solutions to your problems often show up right out of the blue.<\/p>\n

Get Creative<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to start thinking outside the box for clever solutions, strategies, and other ways to tackle frustrating problems.\u00a0 Are the pounds coming off too slowly?\u00a0 Start walking or biking to work!\u00a0 I\u2019m serious!\u00a0 I used to do it, and trust me; I was adjusting my belt notch every two weeks.\u00a0 As an added bonus, the additional exercise was an unexpected mood booster, and I felt much less frustrated in general.<\/p>\n

Are you frustrated that money is always tight?\u00a0 Then it\u2019s time to take a hard look at your talents.\u00a0 That\u2019s right, your talents.\u00a0 Everyone has a talent at something, or expert knowledge on some subject. Brainstorm long and hard, and find a way to use the Internet to get started. \u00a0This can work full-time, or in your spare time.<\/p>\n

Fancy yourself an expert on, say, watches or camera\u2019s for example?\u00a0 Why not start a blog?\u00a0 Blogs are often the starting point to a myriad of online income-earning opportunities. \u00a0Are you a wiz in the kitchen?\u00a0 Get your name out there and do some local catering.\u00a0 The list can go on forever, but the aim is to tackle your money problems head on, and alleviate your frustration by bringing in some extra bucks \u2013 and doing something you\u2019re already good at.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it:\u00a0 frustration is a part of life.\u00a0 As long as we want anything, frustration is bound to follow at least some of the time.\u00a0 In addition, other people have their own quirks, habits, and idiosyncrasies so frustration with them is inevitable at some point.\u00a0 Regardless, we don\u2019t have to stay down in the dumps, or get depressed when things don\u2019t go right.\u00a0 Life will always present us with challenges, problems, and difficulties to deal with.\u00a0 Our job is to stand tall in the face of problems, and discover ways to solve them.\u00a0 Then you\u2019ll find your chronic frustration has been replaced by a much more welcome guest:\u00a0 peace of mind!<\/p>\n

—-<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lisa H. is a mother, blogger, runner and happiness seeker. Her blog, Getting to Zen<\/a> inspires personal success through action. If you want to awaken your spirit, you can subscribe here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In addition to blogging, Lisa is a co-author of Overcoming Fear: Sticking it to What’s Holding You Back<\/a>, a unique program designed to help you get out of your own way and create the life that you want. To read more of Lisa\u2019s articles, visit her blog.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo credit: ‘Unlock<\/a>‘ by Big Stock<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There have been many times in my life when I thought I was angry, only to discover that it was really frustration. Frustration, at its core is wanting something to be other than it is: A different time; a different place; a different color; a different job; a different feeling; a different person. It doesn\u2019t matter what it is, you just want it to be different. 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