As my hometown San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference Finals last night, I find myself trying to overcome frustration today. Frustration can come from all areas of life, from issues big and small. And though frustration is surely no stranger to the workplace, it’s also one of the more inappropriate environments to let that frustration show. So you simply have to find a way to release it.
One of those ways is to learn from those who have succeeded before you. A lot of the time, I go over and over in my head how the situation may have played out if I had done something differently. Since a lot of my work involves PR, a source of tension is often the disconnect between a client’s and editor’s interest in a particular release. Occasionally, editors aren’t as keen to publish releases as clients think they will be, and the responsibility often falls on me. And then I can’t help but wonder if I had worded that press release differently, would more publications have picked it up?
Sometimes you simply run into bad luck, but other times it may require some work on your part. Read other releases that certain publications have picked up, and look for a common denominator. Maybe there is a specific tone that the publisher tends to lean toward. You may have to make small customizations in order to appeal to different editors.
Another common source of frustration is watching my to-do list grow and grow, and feel as though I’m close to falling behind. Sometimes the best thing I can do is to start on the small, annoying tasks that I’ve put off. These tedious, monotonous tasks—such as organizing your email, or completing the dreadful excel sheet that has been staring at you from your desktop for the last two weeks—can help dissolve the pressure that you’re feeling. Put on some headphones, get in the zone and, ideally, upon completion, you’ll be levelheaded and relaxed enough to get back to the big projects.
My last frustration quick fix may be an unusual one: drink water. Water is a magical thing. Every time I’m frustrated, have a headache or am simply in a bad mood, water seems to do the trick. Staying hydrated is important to every aspect of activity, mental or physical. It isn’t just for athletes.
There—I feel better already.
-Keith Sparks, Communications Coordinator