One of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of being a coach is helping clients overcome frustration when it comes to implementing changes and achieving goals. Here are some thoughts on why clients may become easily frustrated, and techniques coaches can use to help build resilience and self-esteem.
Reasons for frustration:
- Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations – Many clients want instant results without seeing progress as a process. Unmet perfectionistic goals lead to quick discouragement.
- Low self-efficacy – If clients doubt their ability to successfully make changes, the inevitable obstacles seem insurmountable. A lack of belief in themselves undermines motivation.
- Fear of failure – Some associate any misstep with total failure due to fragile self-esteem. They give up easily to avoid potential embarrassment.
- Lack of accountability – Without regular check-ins and accountability, commitments are easy to abandon when challenges appear.
- All-or-nothing thinking – Clients believe they must succeed perfectly or not at all. Slip-ups ruin their vision of attainable step-by-step progress.
- All too often, clients get discouraged at the first sign of difficulty and give up before really giving their commitments a chance.
Through my years of coaching experience, I’ve discovered that frustration is often a symptom of deeper issues like perfectionism, low self-confidence, or a lack of accountability – all of which can be addressed effectively. With the right coaching techniques and perseverance, I’ve seen time and again how even the most frustrated clients can gradually build resilience, embrace small wins, and regain the motivation needed to continue progressing toward their dreams.
One strategy I’ve found particularly powerful is reframing the concept of “failure” for my clients. For many, even small setbacks or slip-ups are seen as definitive proof of lack of ability or inherent shortcomings. This all-or-nothing mindset doesn’t allow for growth or grace along the process of change.
Instead, I encourage clients to view obstacles more as valuable learning experiences that provide feedback to help them refine their approach. Just as top athletes review game films to identify areas for improvement, I help clients thoughtfully analyze what went wrong during setbacks to strategize how to overcome similar challenges in the future. This simple shift in perspective redefines failure as a natural part of the learning journey rather than something to fear or define their self-worth.
Another common frustration buster I employ is accountability check-ins at our regular sessions. It’s all too easy for commitments to slip through the cracks without regular follow-up. I find assigned “homework” coupled with discussing both wins and losses each week keeps clients dedicated to consistent effort between our meetings. Celebrating small successes alongside addressing obstacles keeps them motivated to push through difficulties rather than give up.
Often underlying low self-confidence greatly exacerbates frustration when roadblocks appear insurmountable. In these cases, a deeper dive into core beliefs and negative self-talk patterns is needed. As a coach, I have clients record instances of discouraging inner dialogue and then collaboratively challenge the validity of these limiting perspectives. With practice, they learn to replace harsh self-criticisms with constructive self-encouragement customized to keep them persevering through challenges.
It’s also important to address unrealistic blanket expectations that lead to inevitable frustration down the road. Whether it’s an obsession with overnight transformation or perfectionistic standards, sweeping assumptions usually backfire when real-world complexity intervenes. I prefer helping clients establish milestones focused on manageable behaviours rather than vague or lofty goalposts. Breaking bigger targets into incremental steps fosters a healthier view of progress as an iterative, long-term endeavour rather than an instant achievement.
Perhaps one of the most impactful techniques I’ve developed over the years is dedicating time each session to sincerely praising effort, no matter how incremental clients perceive the results to be. Far too often my high-achieving clients dismiss minor accomplishments or dismiss their struggles altogether, perceiving themselves as “failures” for not meeting unrealistic expectations. I work to proactively highlight even small acts of persistence or instances of courage to overcome obstacles as victories deserving recognition in their own right. This refocus on effort and continual growth rather than outcomes has dramatically reduced frustration levels for many once-hopeless clients over time.
While there will always be plateaus and setbacks that risk reinstating discouragement along any transformation journey, these coaching techniques have consistently proven their merit. By addressing underlying beliefs, setting achievable targets, and celebrating process over perfection, I’ve seen even the most frustrated clients steadily rebuild confidence, resilience, and motivation to reach new levels of success they once thought unattainable. Over the long haul, it is this ability to overcome frustration, not fear it, that paves the path to sustainable progress. Here is a continued expansion of the article:
When frustration first arises is also an important consideration. In my experience, clients often wait far too long to voice discouragement, letting small annoyances fester into much larger barriers over time. As a coach, I emphasize the value of transparency—being able to share both triumphs and troubles openly builds a trusting relationship where setbacks can be nipped in the bud before spiralling.
To facilitate this, I regularly check-in with clients using questions like “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your motivation and confidence levels currently?” Looking for dips below a 7 allows us to have proactive discussions and course correct before frustration overwhelms. It also gives me opportunities to remind clients that some frustration is normal and not a sign of failure. Reframing low motivation as a solvable challenge helps defuse feelings of inadequacy.
For those lacking an internal drive to push past discomfort, I find external motivation in the form of peer accountability or public commitments particularly impactful. One strategy is grouping together clients with similar goals and having them check-in with each other between sessions. The social accountability ignites competitiveness while also providing empathy from others in the same boat.
Another option is brainstorming creative public declarations of intention. For instance, one client struggling with consistency in her exercise routine agreed to donate $100 to her least favourite charity if she skipped workouts two weeks in a row. The very real potential loss far outweighed any momentary frustration with working out. These types of tangible stakes have a way of nudging even the most reluctant clients to follow through.
Coaching techniques:
- Reframe failure as learning – Help clients see setbacks as valuable feedback, not a definition of self-worth.
- Build resilience through self-talk – Identify and shift negative thought patterns that undermine confidence and find alternative encouragements.
- Set specific, measurable, achievable goals – Break big goals into smaller, doable steps to build momentum.
- Provide accountability – Check on commitments and celebrate both effort and wins big/small to keep clients motivated.
- Address core beliefs – Underlying low self-esteem often needs addressing to build true confidence and perseverance.
- Emphasize process over immediate results – Help clients embrace the journey and patience needed for behavioural change.
Ultimately, overcoming frustration is as much an art as a science. I’ve had to get comfortable with ambiguity and patience as transformations evolve organically over long periods.
While strategic techniques can minimize discouragement, life will continue delivering unexpected twists no planning can predict.
My role then is providing a calm, encouraging listening post – reminding clients of how far they’ve come, bolstering perspective to get back on track, and celebrating the resilience inside them capable of blossoming further with continued small acts of courageous effort. Mastering frustration is a journey, and I’m privileged to walk alongside clients for the long haul.