4 Ways to Deal with Movement Practice Frustration

Let's face it, learning "movement" disciplines can be frustrating. 

Whether your learning to balance on two hands (or one), bodyweight strength skills on rings, locomotion flow, acrobatics or even a new sport like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; you're guaranteed to feel frustrated in the process.

So, here are my 4 top ways to deal with Frustration....

Method 1 - Get Mad! 

Frustration, anger and generally feeling pi$$ed off is great fuel if you learn to use it right.

It can often be just the catalyst you need to push through a plateau or to rip out extra valuable reps or even whole sessions that lead to massive breakthroughs. 

They key is to harness it as motivation to keep going. Get Mad....then get to work! 

Just don't throw all risk mitigation out the window entirely. Stay safe but draw on the extra intensity of feeling annoyed and channel INTO not away from your Practice! 

Feeling frustrated can be a useful tool if you learn to wield it right! 

Method 2 - Take a Break

While I standby Method 1, sometimes within a session, a small break where you step away, take a break and create some space from the task at hand is just the re-set you need to overcome frustration. 

I've lost count of how many times I've taken just a few minutes longer between sets to let my nervous system calm down, then returned to the same physical task and had very different outcomes.

So, a small circuit breaker here and there can really make a difference.

Method 3 - Zoom Out! 

It's easy to forget the bigger picture sometimes. 

While having high standards is great, if your practice is just making you feel like crap because you beat yourself up psychologically each session, then sometimes it pays to remember why you practice in the first place.

HINT: If you're not a professional athlete then chances are some of it was supposed to be fun!

Method 4 - Share your Frustration to Inspire Others

Often when I share my fails and frustrations, those video's or posts get more attraction then my wins! 

Why is this do you think?

I have a few theories. First, it can be funny as hell watching someone fail (hey, it's true!) but more importantly, it makes you Human! 

It's easy to assume that other practitioners and athletes who share their practice online have flawless sessions with no fails, mistakes or set backs. 

But the truth is, we all have fails and frustrations! 

So sharing them is just as important as the wins sometimes and it helps give others permission to fail in the pursuit of their dream physical capabilities too.

Your frustration could just be the motivation someone else needs to keep going and that can feel pretty good! 

My Current Frustrations

Just so you know, I am feeling super frustrated on a weekly basis as I learn how to One Arm Handstand. 

I feel like I am starting over, I fall almost every set, my wrists a sore, my body doesn't know how to organize itself in space yet and I feel like quitting every single week! 

On top of this, I have been trying to learn how to BBoy Windmill which has been equally as frustrating! 

But, I am determined to someday do both skills competently so the journey continues.

Sharing my struggles with others really helps me stay accountable and on track, so if you're frustrated right now, feel free to let me know! 

Happy Moving! 

 Aaron