Frustration Is A Sign You Need To Keep Going

We've all been there.

In a quest to move ahead in our careers, we pour our hearts and souls into something really important to our growth, something we truly believe will transform us and help take us to the next level. We're moving along a rapid clip until....we're not.

Whatever the roadblock, we try to work our way around it, only to find ourselves continually hitting the proverbial brick wall. We start to question ourselves, seeds of doubt begin to surface, and exasperated, we're ready to throw in the towel.

As maddening as it can be to feel like you're not making progress despite your best efforts, the frustration you're feeling isn't necessarily a bad thing. The next time you're having one of those days, consider these truths about frustration:

Your frustration might be masking a lack of clarity.

It can be tempting to blame your frustration on external sources, but often the real issue is a lack of clarity. What is it that you want to accomplish? Who are you trying to attract and engage? How are you proposing to do that? If your answers are too fuzzy (or worse, unknown), you'll endlessly spin round and round. When you narrow your focus and get specific with your goals, you'll have a far easier time achieving them.

Sometimes frustration over lack of progress means you're going the wrong direction.

I know it's a tough pill to swallow, but if you've been at it for a while and haven't made headway, perhaps you need to consider a new path. Sometimes spinning your wheels is the best thing that can happen to you because it gives you a chance to reevaluate your strategy: if to date you've been a lone wolf, perhaps you should consider a partner; if a new offering isn't getting the reception you'd hoped for, scrap it and try something different.

Or maybe you need to increase your level of awareness and pay attention. Even when you think you're going in the right direction, the universe has a funny way of nudging you in other. Consider that the delays you've experienced might be a sign that it's time to change course.

The important thing here is to maintain a level of flexibility and willingness to take action; by choosing to do so, you'll gain new ground and again begin to make progress.

Gain a new perspective by talking through your frustration with a trusted advisor...or your barista.

Because we're so close to (and emotionally vested) in our endeavor, it can be hard to see things as they really are. Chatting about your issue with a trusted advisor—a friend, family member, or mentor—can help you step back, and gain objectivity and a fresh perspective.

Feel like you don't have anyone who "gets" you and what you're trying to achieve? Consider going an alternative route and throwing out your challenge to a casual acquaintance, someone outside of your usual business circle. A new view of an old problem can help us see it in a different light. In fact, sometimes it's not the counsel of others you need, it's being given the platform to say out loud what's in your head that helps get you unstuck.

Realize that frustration is self-induced...and always comes before achievement.

You always have a choice. You can adopt a mindset where you believe the world is conspiring against you, and let frustration stymy you, or you can use setbacks as fuel to course correct and keep going. To conquer frustration, focus on the outcome, not the obstacle.

We often get discouraged right before we have a major breakthrough. Stick with it! An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great. If you maintain your patience and keep your eye on the prize, you might look back and see that this was a pivotal moment.

As author Bo Bennett said, "Frustration, although painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success."

This article was originally published on Forbes.com.

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??Amy Blaschka is the co-founder of Park City Think Tank where she helps innovators shape and communicate their biggest ideas to their most important audiences.

In their new social media program, Weekly Wisdom, they help leaders publish their insights to connect deeply with the people who matter most to them.

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