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Happy Life Tip of the Week, Issue #118- Relieve Frustration
June 22, 2011


To relieve frustration, focus on the goal and ask yourself how to achieve it from where you are right now.

You've done it before and you can do it now.
See the positive possibilities.
Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration
and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.

Ralph Marston

Hello Friends,

Have you ever felt like you were possessed by an evil spirit who snapped and snarled at everyone, especially the people you love most? Have you ever tried to look on the bright side and ended up convinced that you had passed into a world ruled by evil? If so, chances are high you are suffering from chronic stress and frustration. I know that is usually the cause for me when I experience these all too common symptoms.

Frustration occurs whenever we encounter unexpected resistance to what we want. In this modern world full of complex, interdependent relationships, frustration runs at epidemic levels. The consequences of unchecked frustration are chronic stress, fear, anger, and sometimes violence.

So, what do you do when you are so frustrated you just want to scream, or stamp your foot, or hit something or someone? First, take a step back from your situation, retreat to a safe place and take some deep breaths. This is a critical step to calming your emotions to allow your rational brain to take over.

Next, focus on what you ultimately want. It is important to take the long view here. For example, if you are frustrated about traffic, the short view may be to get out of the traffic and the long view is the joy or reward of your destination. To open to all the positive possibilities, start with your ultimate goal. Take a moment to really reconnect with that goal- how it will feel to achieve it, the value and joy of it, and the satisfaction achievement will bring.

Now, ask yourself an empowering question such as:
  • How can I achieve this goal?
  • What can I do right now to get closer to this goal?
  • What is good or useful about my current situation in achieving this goal?
This three step process will not only relieve the negative impacts of your emotional frustration, but help you find positive solutions to the cause and refocus your energy on positive, effective, unstoppable determination and action.

To relieve frustration, focus on the goal and ask yourself how to achieve it from where you are right now.


For more help relieving frustration and stress, try the guided meditation, The 10 Minute Stress Manager, from Dr. Emmett Miller.

Affirmation
I relieve my frustration by focusing on what I want and how I can take positive action now.

Journal or Meditation Question
How do I first notice that my frustration level is high? What frustrates me right now? What do I really want? What immediate positive action could I take towards my goal?

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