Did You Get Frustrated This Week? Read This.
The Copywriter Column #87
Quick Note
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These posts aren’t “stream of consciousness” per se, but they’re pretty close. They’re reflections on the week, on what happened, on something I learned along the way, and I’d safely say, 9 times out of 10, they have nothing to do with copywriting.
If you glean something of value out of it, like the post, restack it, share it with a friend, or leave a comment below — I’ll cherish the love and respond to you myself.
Onward we go…
I got pretty frustrated earlier this week.
Normally (as in even a month ago), I’d let my emotions get the best of me, to dictate my attitude, my outlook – and worse – my next move.
But something different happened this time around the same old rodeo.
I stopped.
I could pin it on my 18 days of mindfulness practice or my (now) consistent journaling habit or my morning affirmations or my therapist.
Honestly, it could be any or all of those things.
But the miracle: I stopped for once.
Here’s what I did to keep my frustration from getting the best of me:
Gave myself permission to feel what I was feeling.
I acknowledged that my feelings were valid. I had every right to be frustrated in this particular situation. It’s called being human.Took stock of what happened.
I identified key players, the events that took place, conversations that were had, etc.Identified the trigger.
So-and-so did this and it made me feel that.Reflected
What is the challenge for me here? Why is it a challenge? Where do I have control and the ability to affect a positive outcome?Strategized.
What is my next move? How can I maintain a sense of maturity and optimism in this situation?Action.
Now that I understand myself, why I felt the way I did, what happened, and what I can do about it, I take the first step toward affecting a positive outcome.
The thing is, I don’t want to be a perpetually frustrated person. I don’t want to be a consistently negative person either.
I ain’t got time for that, ya know?
But I went through the above process in the span of about 30 seconds — that’s it.
Feeling frustrated with a client?
Heed the process.
Feeling frustrated with a coworker?
Heed the process.
Feeling frustrated with your significant other?
Heed the process.
Feeling frustrated while waiting in line at the grocery store?
Heed the process.
I promise you it’ll make a world of difference.
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