Murphy’s Law is in effect for the last few months. I’ve not been able to write a blog because I couldn’t get into my site to write. Somehow, the updates got turned off. Why would this happen? Beats me, I didn’t do it. Now that I have access to write, I see that the format is changed to the point that I am having to figure it out.

Murphy showed up in my work computer too. I discovered that the Microsoft 360 isn’t working because when the account was setup, my name is spelled wrong and the name of the company is spelled wrong as well. Therefore, I’m not able to participate in Team meetings. My boss isn’t happy about that at all.

Frustration

Needless to say, this has been frustrating. Frustration causes one to react instead of responding to a situation. How do you handle frustration? What does frustration do to the body? What are the triggers that cause you to become aggravated?

Exasperation is truly personal. What frustrates me, may not irritate you. My biggest annoyance is actually computers. Or maybe I should say computer programs when they don’t work. I don’t particularly care for Microsoft programs, that’s why I have a Mac. Mostly no discontentment with my Mac. However, my job requires me to use Microsoft. Until about a year ago, I have not used Microsoft in about ten years, now I have too.

So get to the point! What is this article really about? It’s about frustration. Ok, I’ll get to the point. Identify what your stresses are. First of all, vexation isn’t either good or bad. It’s what you do about it.

What Happens When You Let Disappointment Get Out Of Control

Anger is one of the most common reaction. Think about the physical symptoms you experienced when you got mad. Your heart pounds, blood pressure goes up, brain fog is experienced, and one begins to overthink the situation. Some of us may experience loss of confidence and give up. If these emotions go unchecked, one might become depressed. That’s certainly not good. Any emotion that goes unchecked can affect one’s health.

Once this emotion becomes bitterness, then you’re in an area that you don’t want to be in. Again, are you reacting to the situation or responding to it? If you’re reacting, you stand the chance of damaging relationships with the people you really don’t want to alienate. Anxiety quickly takes over if we’re not careful.

So, What Do We Do?

I found myself quickly becoming frustrated this week as I’ve spent most of the week dealing with the company computer. This morning was especially challenging. What did I do? Once I realized I was rapidly spiraling down into wanting to throw my computer out the window, I sat back in my desk chair. Then I decided my plan of action. You see, I wasn’t able to get our IT guy to understand what I was trying to explain to him about the problem with installing Teams. Actually, he was the one who setup the account, wrongly I would like to point out. It’s not about who’s right, it’s about being told I need to learn to use a computer. But, I digress…

My plan of action was to go see my new friend at the Geek Squad. When he saw me walking in, he just had the look of “Oh God! What now?” I’ve been in three times within the last week, so he knew why I was there. Actually, he’s the one who discovered the problem, but he’s not able to fix it. My companies IT guy has to “fix” it.

As I walked up to his desk, I said, “I’m not able to get my IT guy to listen to what I’m saying. He’s being a smart a– and I’m not happy about this. I need you to write an email to him. I will pull up the email and I need you to talk with him, one IT guy to the other. I’m not using the right language.”

Therefore, my new ‘friend’ wrote the email. The ball is now in the other court. I copied my boss and the head of HR on the email. You see, I’m in trouble because I need to do some training, I have to have Teams installed to do it. It seems that the general consensus with the company is that I am computer illiterate. I might not be the sharpest tack in the computer box, but I’m not the dullest either.

Coming To The Point

Sometimes, we have to ask other people for help. There’s no shame in asking for help. Furthermore, we have to realize that we don’t have to go through life dealing with “Murphy” alone. So, when Murphy ‘gets your goat’, step back and take a deep breath. Look at the situation from a different perspective. Your mental health is important. So is your physical health. Take care of yourself.

Remember, Me First! You have to take care of yourself, before you can help others. You know, like the airplane instructions, “put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then help the person next to you”.

The holidays are stressful, daily life is stressful. A strong person knows when to ask for help. No shame in that. So, now you have some tools to kick Murphy out the door. Take a deep breath and know you are not alone.