Detractor Two: Low frustration tolerance

In my last posting I discussed my number one detractor, the distracter, and shared some strategies I have used to overcome this distracter, or at least minimize its impact. Today’s posting is about another detractor, low tolerance for frustration.

When you are working toward something that is important for you, it is not uncommon for you to encounter bumps on the road. People will make promises that they will not keep. (Even though your vision is a worthwhile pursuit, it may not be worthwhile to other people.) Deadlines that you have established will come and go, unmet. Deliveries will come late. Computer hard drives will crash or get viruses. Office equipment will break. People you have to deal with will be crabby or even rude. The list goes on and on and on. All these things are frustrating. Frustration is a given; if you’re not getting frustrated, at least occasionally, you are probably either real lucky or you aren’t aiming too high with your goals.

Frustration occurs to all of us. The important issue for each of us, however, is how sensitive we are to this inevitable frustration. How sensitive you are to frustration is referred to as your frustration tolerance. What studies have shown, and which is something that we probably all know intuitively, is that people have different levels of frustration tolerance. We all know people who just cannot handle any frustration.

Some people with low frustration tolerance when faced with a block to achieving a goal may rage uncontrollably. Others will break down in tears, just give up, and make no more efforts toward their goal. Others will look for someone to blame.

When a person with high frustration tolerance faces a roadblock, however, they persist, even though the task is difficult and even though things aren’t going their way.

Our frustration tolerance, how we deal with frustration, will play a large role in whether we manifest our vision. Why? Because the reality is life can be difficult. And if we aim high, it’s going to be even more difficult.

When you aim for the stars you will encounter a lot of frustration. You will be required to count on other people’s promises. You will need to interact with people who aren’t having a good day. And sometimes your best won’t be good enough. You will be doing things continually, which creates a lot of opportunity for things to go wrong.

So the bad news is, we will face a lot of frustration on our path to our vision. But there is good news. The good news is we can increase our tolerance for frustration. In my next blog I will share ways for you to increase your frustration for tolerance.