Beneath the Surface of Frustration

Powerful Paragraph

In a recent coaching session, a client mentioned feeling frustrated with their spouse because they consistently forgot to empty the dishwasher. On the surface, it sounded like the frustration was aimed at the behavior: not emptying the dishwasher. But as we continued to discuss the scenario, my client realized that they weren’t really frustrated about the dishwasher, but at the excuses their partner gave for their behavior. These excuses felt like they invalidated my client’s emotions and work requirements as well. With this newfound realization, my client was able to have a much more constructive conversation with their partner.