| I recently had an experience (in fact, I'm | | | | solution." Sure enough, I eventually figured |
| still floundering my way through it) that | | | | out a couple of options and immediately began |
| made me feel exactly the way I did when I was | | | | to feel better! I am still in the process of |
| in fourth grade, learning long division. Many | | | | playing "catch up," but the hopelessness has |
| students are now learning "new math" and are | | | | disappeared with a renewed determination to |
| hopefully finding long division a bit more | | | | get caught up and learn what I need to know. |
| logical than I did as a 9 year-old. Back | | | | Yes, it is a little more difficult than I had |
| then, however, we just learned a series of | | | | anticipated, but I will be that much more |
| "random" steps that seemed meaningless to me. | | | | proud of myself when I make it! **Action |
| I was horribly confused and totally | | | | Plan** If you have ever experienced THAT |
| overwhelmed. I felt stupid and felt like the | | | | feeling...when it seems you will NEVER |
| end of my world was directly in front of me | | | | understand something you are expected to |
| because I was NEVER going to "get it!" | | | | learn and you are lost and frustrated... |
| Gallons of tears were shed over my math book | | | | there are some things you can do to turn that |
| that year! Fast forward a few decades and | | | | feeling around: 1.Recognize that you are |
| here I am...tackling a new project that is, | | | | having an EMOTIONAL reaction to the |
| for me, almost as overwhelming. Actually, it | | | | situation. Let the emotions out (tears, |
| is just as overwhelming. The only difference | | | | anger, frustration, etc), then make a |
| is that I am now putting myself through the | | | | commitment to reset yourself and come back to |
| torture instead of having the torture | | | | the problem after you've taken a break. |
| "forced" upon me. I will spare you some | | | | (Depending on the situation, the break might |
| boring and unnecessary details, but I am | | | | be 15 minutes, or it might be 24 hours.) |
| taking a Google AdWords class to learn more | | | | 2.Identify the EXACT cause of your |
| about how to effectively promote my website. | | | | frustration. Just saying that "Long division |
| Trying to learn how to navigate around my | | | | is so hard!" will not help your situation. If |
| account, analyze keywords, measure | | | | you can say, "I can do the first two steps, |
| click-through and conversion rates, and deal | | | | but I don't understand the third step," you |
| with html on my website has left me way out | | | | will be a lot more productive. This process |
| of my comfort zone. I have learned a lot, but | | | | helps you break down your frustration into |
| I am taking this class with people who are | | | | smaller, easier issues. 3.Tell yourself that |
| far more advanced than I am. I am feeling | | | | you can do it! Anytime you start to say to |
| overwhelmed and, once again, like the "stupid | | | | yourself, "I can't do this!" change that to, |
| kid" in the class. Last week, I hit my peak | | | | "This is hard, but I CAN do it!" You have to |
| of frustration on a coaching call with one of | | | | change the way you respond to your |
| my instructors. He rattled off a dozen | | | | frustration, or you will never have the |
| changes I need to make immediately! I have | | | | patience for step #4, which is most |
| done my homework and have read my text-book, | | | | important... 4.Finally, determine how you can |
| but he may as well have been speaking Latin. | | | | get help. Yes, this step often takes extra |
| I was lost! Hanging up the phone, I felt more | | | | time and extra effort, but this is the step |
| confused and lost than I have in years. I | | | | that gives you the power to accomplish |
| hate to admit it, but the tears began to | | | | anything you set your mind to! **In |
| fall. For a moment, there was no difference | | | | Conclusion** I wish I could say that feeling |
| between that moment and the moments I | | | | lost, overwhelmed, or frustrated was an |
| experienced in 4th grade. (Well, at least | | | | experience you outgrow as an adult, but that |
| now, I wasn't making my mom frustrated, too!) | | | | is just not the case. However, if you are |
| Fortunately, however, I have grown quite a | | | | willing to learn how to build detours around |
| bit since 4th grade and I have learned that | | | | these roadblocks, you WILL be |
| those moments are just that...moments. They | | | | successful...not only in school, but in every |
| don't last forever and there is ALWAYS a | | | | aspect of your life! |
| solution. Once I vented my frustration with a | | | | |
| few tears, drank a tall glass of water, and | | | | Susan Kruger is the author of SOAR Study |
| took long nap, I was able to look at the | | | | Skills; A Simple and Efficient System for |
| situation with a fresh perspective. Every | | | | Earning Better Grades in Less Time. Get |
| time my mind wanted to say, "I'm so | | | | Susan's FREE Homework Rx Toolkit, featuring |
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| overwhelmed, BUT I know I can figure out a | | | | |