How Do You Cope with Frustration?

Among my recently discovered faults that I come into any and all situations with a full set of sometimes unrealistic expectations is that those expectations lead to frustration, aggravation, annoyance, shortness and generally unwanted emotional baggage.

So I am currently in the discovery process and am interested in hearing how other folks deal with or otherwise redirect their frustration?

I have my mechanisms but they need work and I'm sure there are better ways. Care to share how you keep from tearing your clothes off and running down the street screaming at the top of your lungs?

Testy

I think I'm going to trade the car for my bike at lunch to see if I can pedal off some of my increasing annoyance.

It is exceedingly tiresome to be asked the same question over and over again by the same kids everyday.

The "funny" thing is that I'm nowhere the only one. Pretty much every class that has come through the lab today, each teacher has mentioned to me what a pain today has been with the kids being totally off the wall and bordering on uncontrollable.

Sometimes I'm rather glad to not be a regular classroom instructor.

Battlin'

Many years ago now, when I used to live in South Africa, I had a motorcycle mechanic that I'd been introduced to. He was an ancient little guy with a pretty quick wit (and, unfortunately, a bad prescription).

Everytime I'd speak to him, on the phone or in person and I'd ask him how he was, his stock response was, "Battlin'". Which I took to mean that he wasn't done fighting yet and he had some spark left in him and stand back. I liked him quite a bit even though I pretty much had to have him redo every repair he did for me.

But that's another story for another time.

The point here is that I am Battlin' these days, I'm Battlin' hard and doing everything I can to keep fighting and trying. But even though I am doing just about everything I can to get a new job, it isn't happening fast enough. No matter how many customized resumes and well written cover letters I write, the process is still too slow.

And being without a job means, obviously, that I need one (unless that damned lottery hit for me). But the more places I talk to, he more people I contact, the slower things seem to go. It is extremely frustrating.

I maintain my positive attitude because I know that something good will happen. But it does get more and more difficult. Something has to give, I just hope it isn't me.

Note to Self

Unless you're a masochist, don't play challenging video games if you're already frustrated. You'll wind up with smashed toys and blood pressure that would alarm your doctor.