How to manage everyday niggles

According to one survey, bad manners, telemarketing calls, and getting stuck in traffic rank near the top of the list of common everyday niggles. Other common niggles include no toilet roll left in the bathroom, getting caught in the rain without an umbrella, missing a delivery, and not finding things in your bag.

I’m sure that most people can relate to some, if not all, of these. We all find ourselves faced with life’s little niggles from time to time, but it’s how we deal with them that’s important. If you see every niggle as a massive issue and let it get you down, small issues can turn into much larger ones very quickly and may have a negative effect on our health and well-being.

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to take life in their stride and deal with their niggles as they come along?

Here are 10 tips to help you manage them.

1. Learn from your mistakes

We all make mistakes, but it’s how you deal with them that’s important. If you can look upon them as learning opportunities rather than dwell on the negatives, you may be all the stronger for it.

2. Unhook from perfection

When you want everything to be perfect, it can lead to continual disappointment with life. Small niggles can become big issues if you don’t watch out for your perfectionist side. You don’t have to be perfect; give yourself permission to be human.

3. Try a new perspective

Recall a positive moment when things went well. What worked well for you that time? Build on your success in the new situation.

Taking a step back from the situation and viewing the bigger picture can also help you evaluate your niggles. Ask yourself, will it matter in the long run? Having a role model can also help. When feeling unsure of what to do, ask yourself what your role model would do in this situation.

4. Is your glass half empty?

Focus on the positive things in your life. We often focus on the negative things, but when we actively seek out the positive, we may improve our outlook. Instead of saying what’s wrong, concentrate on what’s working.

5. Does your cup run over?

If your cup is overflowing and you feel overwhelmed by what you have to do, try a simple to-do list and prioritise your tasks in order of importance.

6. Be kind to yourself

Be your own best friend and treat yourself with kindness. Look after yourself. Have fun with friends. Slow down and try some simple mindfulness exercises to help keep yourself grounded.

7. Gain control

How you feel and the way that you deal with situations can be influenced by the choices you make. Ask yourself if there is something that you can change about the situation. If so, start exploring ways you can change it.

We can’t change the past, but we can build our future. By keeping a journal, reflecting and evaluating what has happened, we can make conscious decisions about how we might approach a similar situation in the future.

8. When you need uplift

When you feel you lack confidence, try acting as if you can. Imagining or practising a more confident response can help you feel more prepared for the thing you want to achieve.

9. Do you measure up?

Know yourself. What are your strengths and areas for development? Do you live your life according to your values and understand your beliefs?

By taking the time to find out more about yourself, you will have less need to measure yourself against others. You may discover what you consider worth standing up for, and what is not.

10. Hook up

Develop your support networks. A friend can really help to lighten the load, and a trouble shared may feel easier to carry.

If you are having a bad day with lots of niggles getting on your nerves, sometimes by simply smiling you generate your own positive energy, which can soon catch on. Try smiling at others, and you may find that they smile back, helping you have a much better day.

Bring a little “magic” into your world. You are more powerful than you know. If there is anything in your life that is not to your liking, you may have the choice to change how you think about it. What we think often influences what we do. Gain control and be a success. What are you waiting for?