Frustration!

Do you ever have one of those days or weeks when nothing seems to go right?  You are convinced that the only one who can get into your accounts are the scammers or the crooks – because you can’t.  You get a letter in the mail that your vehicle has been recalled.  When you go to the fridge you drop the pickle jar.  Pickle juice all over the place!

Well, these things happen to everyone – not just to you.  Here are some tips for handling the frustrations:

1. Remember that this is part of life. Everyone has problems large and small.  You are not alone!
2. Take a breath! Pushing forward when you are upset can make things worse.  In fact, it might be better to just give yourself a few minutes of “time out” before you try to rectify things.  Calming yourself before starting can work miracles.
3. Put things in perspective. I often ask myself “Will this matter in ten years?”   “Will it matter in ten months?”   “Will it matter in ten days?”  The answer to all three is usually “No”.  Like my little old Norwegian grandmother used to say, “This too shall pass”.
4. Don’t try to squeeze a solution into an already busy schedule. You might be put on hold, need to write a thoughtful email or take time to make a wise decision.  Instead of jumping right into things, plan a time when you can work on the problem uninterrupted.
5. Think about ways that you have solved similar problems in the past. You likely already know what to do about the situation if you just trust yourself.  You’ve made it this far and I’m sure you have solved many, many problems over the years.
6. Use a pen and paper to write down the choices that you have and then choose the one that seems to be best. If it doesn’t work, try other options until you unlock the code!
7. Consult with someone who has expertise. This doesn’t have to be a professional.  In fact, talking with a friend might give you the exact inspiration and wisdom that you have been seeking.  And remember, the internet has a solution for pretty well everything.
8. Contact the organization that sent you the letter or notified you that there is a problem. Make a list of questions to ask before you dial the number or go to the business so that you have clarity and are sure to get all the information that you need.
9. Remember or write down the way that you solved this dilemma as you might need to use similar techniques in the future.
10. Congratulate yourself for patiently dealing with the issue!

One day my adult grandson was very anxious and determined to finish a project right away when I thought it wasn’t necessary to do so.  I said, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and he replied “But I wish it was”.  This expression doesn’t just remind us to slow down, but also suggests that maybe it will take a few sleeps before you experience success!

Take your time and give yourself a break.  Even if you have pickle juice all over the floor!