The last few days of this week have been full of situations that have required me to be flexible. Changes in either appointment times or dates, changes to how much time I needed to get my work done, and changes to how many computer programs I have to use to get my daily work completed. For the most part, I have taken it all in stride. But, this morning I had apparently reached my limit on being a certain degree of flexible in a specified amount of time. I wasn’t very nice on the phone to someone, but apparently I just had to let some frustration out. In hindsight I don’t feel great about it, but it could have been worse. Also, in my defense, it was the other party that had made a mistake, so it might have been somewhat understandable that I was irritated by it.
Have you ever had those days? The days were you feel like you have nicely accommodated everyone but yourself? The days were your understanding has just run out and you got real about your disappointment in the situation? I hope I’m not the only here, and I doubt that I am.
Of course, the question becomes, can I do better next time? To me, I think it is always good to strive to behave better, but I am also giving myself some grace here. I’m not perfect, I’m human. To think I am going to smile my way through it all and not get irritated is silly, but unfortunately I think a lot of people (especially women) feel that way. We can only handle so much in a day. Probably, what I really need to focus on is how to deal with the situations in a nicer way. You can be irritated and not be mean. Honesty doesn’t always feel good, but it can really help to ease some of that frustration. So, the next time your understanding tank is about to spill over, consider how you can be honest about it but not mean. I truly think that is possible…even if it might take me a lifetime to achieve it!