80/20 Your Life! How To Get More Done With Less Effort And Change Your Life In The Process!

by Damon Zahariades

First, figure out why you get annoyed. Often, the reasons have little to do with the person whose actions annoy us. Much of our irritation stems from our immediate circumstances. For example, if you’ve just spent 90 minutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you’re more likely to be annoyed than if you had been relaxing at home with an engaging novel and glass of your favorite wine. If you’re already on edge, think twice before blaming the person at whom you’re annoyed. Second, recognize that 80% of the things that annoy us are inconsequential. They’re small things that matter little. Treat them as such. For example, rather than becoming annoyed at the sight of unwashed dishes in the sink, spend 60 seconds washing them. Forgive and move on. Third, remind yourself that “this too shall pass.” This practice may seem silly, but consider this: we usually become annoyed in the heat of the moment. Something happens that we dislike, and we immediately get upset. This is an emotional response, not one born of rational thought. When you tell yourself “this too shall pass,” you recognize the temporary nature of whatever is irking you. Most of the things that irk us are trivial, short-lived, and therefore not worth our irritation.