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READING
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XPERIENCE
12: U
SING
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AILURE
AS
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TEPPING
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TONE
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UCCESS
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EARNING
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ECOMING
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Managing frustration
Typically, frustration occurs when the degree of challenge in a learning situation is too great compared
to the available skills and resources. Those who are strong at managing frustration are able to keep
their emotions in check without getting to the point of anger or complete disengagement. They believe
that the right levels of frustration can be positive and lead to productive outcomes as well as building
emotional skills. This is in contrast to individuals who when they get frustrated let initial frustrations
quickly get out of control and the result is unproductive behavior.
When a person who is strong at managing frustration gets frustrated, he or she:
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does not let frustration decrease his or her level of performance
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uses frustration as a motivating tool
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does not let his or her frustrations affect others and their performance
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uses a variety of techniques to release or neutralize the frustrations
Taking risks
Risk-taking involves taking on new challenges that have uncertain outcomes. Success is not guaranteed,
and the possibilities for failure are real. Those who are strong risk-takers are willing to move outside
of their comfort zones in various contexts (mind, body, relationships, etc.), and focusing on the upside
potential rather than the downside. They are willing to accept short-term failure to obtain long-term
success. This is in contrast to individuals who do not venture outside their comfort zones and need the
security of certain positive outcomes before taking on new challenges, thus limiting their opportunities
for personal growth.
Typically, strong risk-takers:
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focus on the potential benefits rather than costs or downside
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are strong at responding to both successes and failures
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are strong emotionally; not letting fear be an immobilizing emotion
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are able to make great intuitive leaps
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view risks within realistic contexts
“If you don’t risk anything you risk even more.”
—
Erica Jong
Coping
It is a rare person who does not experience some form of emotional turmoil at some point in his or her
life. Emotional and mental difficulties may simply be due to ineffective coping skills. The result can be
a feeling of walking about in a state of confusion, or doubting one’s ability to deal with situations and
surroundings. Developing good coping skills forms the foundation for emotional stability and empowers
individuals to feel good about how they think and feel as they deal with life’s situations.
Even people who seem to have it all together have to deal with many stressors in their lives. One of the
reasons that they seem to have it all together is because they have a set of coping skills to help them handle