#226: Dealing With Frustration

I've been working on taxes. Right off that says headaches, one migraine and plenty of frustration.

Like tonight. TurboTax online, that I've used for years, froze on me. I could still check email and do other things but TurboTax wouldn't move. Finally, after much irritation I shut the program down and hoped I hadn't lost all of the data. Fortunately, I didn't.

But then it said I can't efile because there are two versions of the same form! AAARRRRGGGHH!!

So, being the mellow guy I usually am, I saved the information, shut it down then took several deep breaths and told myself to check it again tomorrow to clear the problem.

I knew I was getting stressed when I wanted to scream and rant. But I've learned that does me no good. Oh, I suppose a wild primal yell once in a while might help the blood pressure, but that isn't me.

Instead, I try to calm myself and focus on the situation. If a problem is too difficult to handle at the moment I walk away or, in this case, shut down the program.

How do you handle stress and frustration? Do you let it get the better of you or do you have special ways of handling it?

For me it's calming deep breaths and a realization that all will look fresh in the morning.

What works for you?