When does Frustration become your friend?

Have you ever been frustrated? Just really had it? At the end of your string? Of course you have…as have I. So how can I even contemplate the question, “When does Frustration become your friend?” Easy…because if you have a desire to be successful in virtually any aspect of life, being able to embrace frustration and use it for good is an essential skill that you have to develop.

By definition, frustration is a feeling of disappointment, exasperation, or weariness caused by goals being thwarted or desires unsatisfied. In simpler words, “you’re not achieving what you want when you want”. Who hasn’t experienced that? 

The very fact that there was a goal in the first place, or a plan of attack put into place shows progress. That fact that you missed it or it has not happened exactly as you thought it would does not mean you have not made progress or created positive momentum towards the desired result. It’s not that fact that you haven’t achieved everything you’ve desired to this point that’s the issue…it’s the feeling in your gut of giving up or not continuing to put in the time, effort or resources required to finish the task.

This is exactly when you might want to consider embracing your frustration and thank it for calling your attention to what’s going on. Frustration is a natural mechanism that provides each of us an opportunity to stop, re-evaluate and re-design our approach if necessary.

Sure, nobody likes feeling like they’ve been kicked in the gut, stomped upon or thwarted. But if you idea, concept or ultimate desire is good, have faith it will happen. Faith is belief in the unseen and assurance of the unknown. Think about it, if whatever it is you’re attempting is not complete, doesn’t it fit as unseen and unknown? That’s right…you have to have faith…in your project and yourself!

Another key is having others to talk to about the situation…constructively! Frustration tends to lead to negative forms of communication about the situation if your faith and belief get so diminished. Instead of letting it get to that point, embrace your frustration and seek potential positive solutions by sharing your “frustration” with a trusted group of people that can guide or advise you going forward.

For me, that is my amazing MasterMind group that has been together for almost 5 years now. As I shared a recent “frustration” with the group, friend Robert MacPhee (and author of the book “Manifesting for Non-Guru’s”) helped me reframe my frustration from a potential negative to a positive by calling to my attention how “important and urgent” the project is for those that will benefit from the results of my actions. Immediately it went from a feeling of “dragging me down” to “lifting me up”. I became reinvigorated instantaneously.

That new (or rekindled) enthusiasm caused me to take immediate positive steps forward. It encouraged another call to another friend Teresa Huggins (founder of the Teen Development program “Leaders 4 Life”). In sharing a bit about the previous call with Teresa, she too provided some tremendous wisdom and guidance going forward. This helped to strengthen my resolve even further. Thank You!

Bottom line, frustration will happen to anyone that is working to make a positive change to their respective situation. Simply understanding this fact, you start to realize frustration is not the problem… allowing it to paralyze you is.

Embrace your new found friend frustration and use it to create positive discussion with others that can provide guidance, support and love to you going forward. You might not always like what you are going to hear but those that truly care about you will tell you what you need to hear.

You have infinite potential and are doing great things. Use those moments of frustration as an encouragement that you are progressing and there may be a more efficient or better way to accomplish your desired result. After all…how else would you look for a better way if something didn’t cause you to think or take a different course of action?

Please feel free to contact me through the “Connection” section here at www.ScottSchillig.com if I can be of guidance to you going forward.