Dealing with Boredom and Frustration

We all get bored and we all get frustrated. I'd like to jot down some quick tips and tricks on how to deal with boredom and frustration. 

1) Get over it. 

Life isn't all thrills. In fact, most of life is an utter bore. It's how you deal with it that makes life more meaningful, and therefore, better. A lot of people complain about family, friends, kids, girlfriends, wives, boyfriends, husbands, coworkers, bosses, work, and you name it but the fact of the matter is that you will like yourself more, and other people will like being around you much more if you simply get over it and don't complain, or at least don't complain that much. Get over it.

2) Deal with boredom in your own intrinsic way. 

a) Everybody deals with boredom in their own way. Some people read books, like me. Others watch TV shows or the news. You should look for ways to deal with boredom in your own way that is unique to you. I don't even get bored at home because I've got so much to do; reading, writing, gaming, guitar playing, and even keyboard playing if I'm really feeling up to it. What you should not do is call your friends every time you're bored and try to hang out. Which leads me to my next point. 

b) Create, build, and develop your interior life. An interior life is a life that stands on its own, strong and resolute. Activities like reading, writing, and solo guitar playing are a regular part of my interior life. I would also include things like exercise, meditation, sleep, and getting enough rest as a part of the interior life as well. What the interior life is not is hanging out with your friends, your girlfriend, your wife, and kids. Not that that's bad, but you must truly develop your interior life on your own and on your own time. Doing so will result in your being able to deal with boredom and frustration in a much easier way. Why? Because you'll learn how to read yourself much better, which will result in you being better able to understand others, and consequently, the world.     

3) Deal with frustration in a constructive way.

If somebody completely insults you what is your response? Most people would fire back and insult them back quickly without thinking too much. Sure, that works but it's not constructive. A more constructive response would be to insult the person with a much smarter insult that leaves them looking like a dummy that can't read. Now that's constructive! LOL

But seriously, you must learn to deal with frustration in a constructive way. Sometimes at work, it's a hassle when other people who aren't managers ask me to do something for them. For the longest time that was a big pet peeve of mine, until I dealt with it in a constructive way; by simply not being mad about it. Sure, it's one extra task, but is one small extra task in my day really going to stop me from fulfilling my job to the best of my ability? When I thought about it in those terms I realized that helping a coworker wasn't that bad. Plus I have uber brownie points with all managers as well as lesser employees now. Not too shabby. 

4) If you're having trouble, simply change your perspective. If you can't change your perspective, just slightly change your attitude. 

Some people will never change their perspective on the world. They're the person they are right now and can't change no matter how much they try even though they want to because they're comfortable and they're simple. Nothing wrong with that. 

But for those individuals that want to get more out of life, they will have to eventually change their perspective on the world. This includes changing the way they perceive themselves as well as others. 

One of the hardest things for me to figure out in life was how to chill and keep a positive attitude no matter what under any circumstances. It's easier said than done and it took me thirty years. Some people figure it out in childhood. Others will never see the light. 

If you can't change your perspective, try just slightly changing your attitude. Maybe you're more of a loner, so try being more social and talking to people more in every way you can. Maybe you talk to too many people, so try talking to fewer people. Maybe you complain a lot about work, so try not complaining about work for a month. These small changes will lead to big progress which can eventually help you to change your perspective for the better. The war is over if you want it. 

"Boredom leads to frustration, frustration leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to the Darkside."