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