We all have those occasional days where the stars align and everything goes horribly wrong. Maybe you’ve made a small error that has snowballed, maybe you have a prickly client, or maybe there’s something completely out of your control that is negatively affecting your ability to be successful in your role.
Unfortunately, when frustration mounts at the workplace, you may not always have the perfect outlet to decompress and clear your mind. However, there are a few great strategies that you can implement to help you manage your frustration and channel it into something positive. Try a few of the following techniques:
Stay Ahead of Issues
This may sound like a bit of a cop-out, but it’s worth mentioning: take preventative measures. If you are constantly finding yourself in the same frustrating situations, it’s time to examine your own game plan. Are you staying organized? Do you often flirt with deadlines? Have you surrounded yourself with an environment that helps you be successful in certain tasks? Take the time to truly do everything in your power to make your life in the workplace run smoothly. Small improvements to your organization and workflow can make a major difference.
Find the Root of the Issue
You need to thoughtfully examine what the actual source of your frustration is. Don’t waste your time giving yourself and your colleagues the run around about how this or that is irritating, when in reality, most of your current issues are stemming from one larger problem, and you’re letting that affect your attitude across the board. Evaluate your current problems, and make a note that lists the specific things that are troubling you. When appropriate, approach these topics with your manager or team and you can work together to find a resolution to some of the things that are frustrating you. Just like most things at work, you need to really reel in your thoughts once in a while and make an effort to focus on the task at hand!
Seek Help
Sometimes you just need to vent for the sanity’s sake—we’re all certainly guilty of that. But when you have a serious problem, you have to be able to collaborate with others to find a solution. Ask for help when you need it! Seeking assistance from others is not a sign of weakness, it shows that you understand the task at hand and that you’re being proactive in finding solutions. Even if a solution isn’t feasible, voicing your frustrations to others can be therapeutic. You have to take actionable steps towards easing your frustrations, and seeking help is one of them.
Document the Problem
You’ve relaxed, you’ve identified the core issues, and you’ve worked with your team to help alleviate whatever is frustrating you—at this point, it’s important to record your progress. You can keep this format very simple. Try something like:
- The problem
- The cause of the problem
- The steps taken to find a solution
This approach can help you solve problems in the future, as well as provide documentation of your efforts. Management typically finds this type of documentation valuable, and it reflects strongly on your character and abilities as a member of the team.
There are plenty of other ways to de-stress and ease frustrations: deep breathing, grab a bite to eat, take a quick walk. But if there is an actual root to your issues, you need to take action and find a solution. Use the steps above as a guide!