Everyone experiences frustration. Your plane doesn’t arrive on time, your business doesn’t perform as expected, people’s attitudes disappoint you. You try to solve a problem and no resolution is in sight. Frustrations happen when expectations go unmet, but by changing your perspective, you can transform frustrations into solutions. Here are three ways to fill a glass half empty.
- Think Better: James Dyson knows frustration. It took 15 years and 5,126 prototypes for him to create the bagless vacuum cleaner, and through his Foundation, kids are learning how to turn frustration into engineering innovation. In Dyson’s view, if anyone really believes in something and wants to make it a reality, that person must think better. And he’s right. So-called ‘logical thinking’ doesn’t lead to real advancements. You’ve got to think smarter and make lots of connections.
- Reframe The Picture: The best businesses are born of frustration. Richard Branson, tired of poor airline experience, decided he could do better. The result? Virgin Airlines. Ask yourself what you have learned from your experience. Now turn the sentence around and make it a positive statement. Is there an opportunity you can capitalize on?
- Do One Thing. When Saatchi & Saatchi decided to go True Blue, we encouraged people to make one small change in their lives. Then do another. Small actions add up to make a difference. Look at what you can do, and break it down again into smaller steps. By the time you know it you’ll feel like you’re working towards a solution and not falling under frustration.
