Frustration is Exciting

Frustration is something we all feel at some point in our lives.  The question is, WHY are we feeling frustrated?  What is the problem that's causing this feeling?

Before we even answer this, get EXCITED about the fact that you're frustrated. 

Why?

Because it means you have energy and you care enough about your life to feel like there should be changes made.

So much change in our lives is borne out of frustration.  The key is to make intentional change that is aligned with where you want to go.  If you want to read more about how to get clear, then check out a recent blog post that I wrote on Why Getting Clear is Crucial.

How did I come to realise that frustration could be such a great motivator?  Well, from personal experience (which is how most of us learn, isn't it).

What seems like a lifetime ago now, I was very unhappy with my life.  I didn't like the work I was doing, I have no purpose or direction and I felt trapped.  I had spent over 5 years at university and was working in an industry related to my studies, so I felt like I would be wasting all this time and money if I changed everything (which of course isn't true, but I didn't realise this until later!).  Gradually over time I became not just unhappy, but FRUSTRATED with how things were going.

That's when I decided to make some small changes, and then blurted out what I wanted to do at a dinner party.  This was very unusual for me, as I used to be someone who kept everything inside.  The frustration had built up to such an energy level though, that I couldn't keep it in anymore!

Then my life completed changed.  I became a contractor in a new industry and began to learn new things and get excited about how I could control my own life and do what I wanted to do - not just what was expected of me.  It was SO liberating!

That lead to a decade of change, and to be honest, it hasn't stopped.  BUT, now it's change I CHOOSE, that is aligned with my Core Values and things I LOVE to do.

So, how can you do this to?  

Here is the framework that I use on myself and with clients, for harnessing frustration for good:

1. Talk about it.  Share your frustrations with people you trust and can help you at least make sense of it or support you;
2. Be aware of and harness the energy, rather than turning everything in your life as a trigger for frustration.  Be conscious and find the source of the problem;
3. Get clear.  Clarity is the best way to help you move forward and use this energy for good (instead of it turning into anger);
4. Take focused action.  Once you are clear on what the problem is, develop action steps to help you move passed the frustration and into focused action.

There is quite a bi to action these, so if you feel like you need some help, please reach out and we can schedule in a free Clarity Chat.