Feeling Frustrated? Let’s Fix It.

Think back to the last time you were frustrated at work…or maybe that time is now and you don’t have to think back at all. Often, our frustrations are directed toward people on our team we blame for a negative result. 

Did you know all problems are process problems versus people problems? 

If you are feeling frustrated, you have likely lost your peace and joy, and may be taking it out on your people when they are not the problem at all. We are so focused on that person or people who happened to be closest to the problem that we are blind to the process issues really at play. 

However, nearly every problem is a process problem resulting from improper training, unclear expectations, or something else that placed a team member in an unfair position. And if you don’t uncover the process issue at play, the problem is going to keep resurfacing. 

So, what do you do about that frustration? There are three key ways to deal with your frustration at work as a leader:

1. Frustration typically causes cloudy clarity because it makes you lose your peace and joy. So, the first step in dealing with frustration is identifying what you fear that is making you frustrated. Most frustrations are based in fear and if you can identify precisely what it is, your brain will start to solve it.
   
2. Examine your environment. What situation around you is influencing your environment beyond what you can control? For example, a pandemic could make your world look completely different than it did two years ago. Once you step back and “read the room,” you can make peace with the things you truly cannot control.
   
3. Once you have named your fear and identified the things you cannot control, you can now fix the process that is broken and causing you frustration. You have regained your clarity and can navigate the steps necessary to address your broken process.

We couldn’t help but think about the application of the Serenity Prayer here, since serenity is defined as the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. 

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

What are you going to do today to fix your frustration? Need help? Contact us to let us know how we can support you.