How to turn frustration into motivation

Reading time: 2 minutes

Posted by Vincent Maria Klein on February 9th at 6:59pm

Dreams and goals are often accompanied by challenges. It´s possible for me to be very exited about what I want to achieve, so excited that I get frustrated when there isn´t enough progress.

With the end of last year I quit my part time job as a salesman. For a long time I have been sure about investing all my time and energy into my calling as a pastor.

For that reason my expectations for the new year have been high. But the transition challenged me a lot more than I though it would.

Especially tough for me was trying:

  • To engage in my new and broader tasks
  • To be needed in another area than I would have preferred
  • To adjust to the rising demands concerning my leadership
  • To get used to my even more flexible time

I haven´t overcome all these challenges yet. However I´m taking steps forward. These three things have been a great help to me so far:

Thinking. To ask myself questions like this isn´t easy but the right thing to do:

  • How do I feel?
  • Where do these emotions come from?
  • Which decisions have brought me here?
  • What do I really want?
  • Who can help me?

Hands-on tip: Find out where you can think the best. Going for a walk or hanging out for myself in a coffee shop is what works best for me.

Book recommendation: John C. Maxwell „How successful people think“

Talking. This time it isn´t about talking to myself but to others. Not to complain (which isn´t always easy for me) but to get answers and counsel.

Three conversations alone I had with people not directly involved in my situation. People I trust but who have an outside perspective on my circumstances and emotions.

I talked to my leaders and mentors as well as to my wife (of course).

Hands-on tip: Not enough time to have conversations like this? - Dare to cancel appointments (even important ones) to make room in your calendar.

Taking action. It´s pointless to talk and think if it you aren´t changing anything afterwards. In any case it should be avoided to stay with the same routine like before.

Although it wasn´t easy for me I made the decision to shake of my disappointment. I decided to do the following:

  • Get better in planning my everyday life
  • Read what was recommended to me
  • Have more and more open conversations


Hands-on tip: Get as practical as you can! A couple of days ago we rearranged our offices to intensify our teamwork. It wasn´t my idea but I´m pretty sure that I´ll benefit from it concerning my new work situation.

How do you deal with frustration? What kind of steps helped you leaving it behind? Let me know about your experiences in a comment.

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