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Step 1
Do preventive maintenance on everything you own (car, house, pet, your own health, etc). Many frustrations can be foreseen and prevented through better planning and organization. Take the time to care for what you have. It will pay off later.
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Step 2
Do what you "know" you should do. Use your better judgement. Many hassles arise when you don't do something you know you should have done. The problem is then compounded by anger with yourself. For instance, I knew I should have allowed more time to drive to a doctor appointment in another city, but I left late. I had to rush and nearly missed the appointment altogether.
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Step 3
Communicating clearly is another step to avoiding hassles, especially in one-shot interactions with customer service reps, the pharmacy, etc.
It can be helpful to write down what you want to communicate prior to the call, and gather necessary information, such as account numbers. Also repeat what was said so that you and the other person are both on the same page. -
Step 4
Set reasonable expectations. When people fail to set expectations, any unexpected delay can cause for great frustration. Realize that life is not going to conform to how you think things should be.
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Step 5
Maintain a good attitude! Actively managing your attitude prevents many hassles and lowers your frustration level. Take the opportunity to practice gratitude when you are in a frustrating situation. Smile and be calm instead of irritated. Chances are, whatever the situation, it is not worth becoming upset.
