DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION

In this part of the world, I noticed that a lot of people vent their frustrations on others.

People always look for excuses for their failure. Any little thing is blamed on the government, economy or one deficiency or the other in the environment. 

Many times I would be coming back to my lodge, or going to office and suddenly on reaching my destination, the epileptic power supply will go off. The next thing people their would say is, "Ohm! This "light" has been on o and you just came and took it!" When this happens, I usually wonder whether am NEPA or PHCN that  decided to ration the power. You could see those in government blaming detractors or lack of capital for non-performance. Fire Service would blame lack of water in their tanker for not showing up on time to answer distress calls, and the list goes on. 

Am not relegating the fact that genuine excuses hinder performance but you would believe with me that as long as there is still someone to take a blame, nothing gets done. One of my big friends normally quotes: "excuses are for the incompetent, a monument of nothingness." We must arise and take responsibility, because, transfer of aggression, name calling or loud mouthing of other people is never the solution to our many problems. Generally, it seems many are frustrated with the country. Many young people want to travel out at the slightest opportunity when the solution lies in our hands.

Personally I believe in my country Nigeria and I speak hope into it. I have learnt from the word of God to speak in hope and not in frustration. Our nation is a project. Any builder who doesn't believe in his design, how can others believe in it or live in such a home if it ever gets erected.

Six Simple Ways to Deal With Frustration

• Firstly, make sure you are not your own frustration. What I mean is it's possible to be a frustration to oneself; when you procrastinate over what can be done today, tomorrow it could pose a frustration because you'll end up having a backlog of other activities that you've left behind now clamoring for attention at the same time.
• Make sure you are not frustrating others yourself. In my school days in Nigeria, we the students endured a lot of striking actions by the ASUU because they were frustrated by the government's delayance in giving attention to their good demands. In the end it was the students that got the blow, because, we cannot go on strike too. After our time were wasted, ASUU later got their areas paid. Many people, in the name of causes embark on demonstrations and end up destroying  people's properties, killing innocent lives, abducting innocent people and making lives miserable. One must make sure that his actions: how you park your car in the street, how you dispose your wastes and so on; are not frustrating other people. Because "what goes around comes around."
• When frustrated by another person's action, take calculated steps in addressing the person. Human beings are naturally defensive; so approaching someone, no matter the level of his offense, in a demeaning way, is usually unfruitful, because, the first thing that will happen is that his defense-mechanism will rise. He'll see you as an enemy and instead of listening to your view, a row would brake out. Proverbs 15: 1 says, "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
• When frustrated over and over again on something, you may just take small brake. Frustration can wear someone out. It can lead to health challenges if one focuses so much on the issue. If it's something that got missing, taking a short brake goes a long way in refreshing you and your memory. You could suddenly remember your experiences or places visited before you lost the item, again. When you take a brake, just go do other things; you can listen to songs, you can take shower, you can take small tour or vacation; and in the process, new ideas or new approach to tackling the issue would be inspired in your mind again.
• Pray. There is God in the heaven and He knows all things and has the solution to every problem. A relationship with Him through the knowledge of Christ Jesus and your little prayer can be the end of any frustration in your life right now.