Some weeks feel like the universe is against you. You’re showing up, putting in hours, and pushing through your workload, yet technology refuses to cooperate.
Recently, I spent countless hours in support chats, restarted my computer more times than I care to count, cleared caches, ran deep anti-virus scans, and still found myself staring at yet another error message or frozen screen. Despite all this effort, I was stuck, unable to move forward with my project. It wasn’t for lack of trying, but for every step I took, tech issues pushed me two steps back.
And this was happening with several projects at once. Let me tell you about one of them.
My Weekend Project
I set aside the whole weekend to develop my content plan and strategy. Early in the week, I purchased a new course on the topic that would help me implement the plan in a specific software and waited for the email telling me how to access it. The email never came. I emailed support and never heard back. I eventually sent an FB message to the creator and was told how to access the course. YAY! All set to go.
Saturday morning, I got up bright and early. I enthusiastically watched the course. Then I got to work. Only I couldn’t actually do anything in the software. So, I went into the community for the software and asked for help. There was some back and forth and just before 5 pm, as I was about to make dinner (and stop for the day) an employee did find a workaround so I could access the software.
On Sunday, I leaped out of bed, ready to make up for Saturday’s lost time. I did all the prep work and hit submit only to get an error. Over, and over again. I sent an email, asked in the community and tried everything to work around the problem to no avail. I had spent two whole days, plus more time the week before and not made any real progress. Grrrr.
The week before and after, I was plagued with tech issues. There were
- software bugs,
- inexplicably my (fairly new) computer started behaving very strangely
- apps glitched,
- GPT kept reassuring me that it was following my instructions but was spewing out the opposite of what it said it was doing
- and more.
I was beginning to fear for my sanity. Certainly all the tech can’t be glitching like this.
If you’ve been in this situation, you know how quickly determination can give way to frustration. But don’t lose hope. Here’s how to manage those maddening tech problems and keep moving forward.
The Tech Struggle is Real
Let’s face it: nothing kills momentum quite like a string of tech issues. Whether it’s a software bug, a glitchy internet connection, or hardware that’s decided today’s the day to act up, these problems can make even the most dedicated worker feel utterly powerless. The emotional toll is significant—you start out determined, sure that you’ll find a workaround, but after the tenth restart or the fifth unhelpful support chat, frustration starts to take over.
The worst part? These problems often feel completely out of your control. It’s one thing to struggle with a task because you’re learning something new or because you need to refine your approach. But when you’re held back by factors beyond your control—like a wonky computer or software that just won’t work—it can feel downright unfair.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Frustrated
First, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s okay to be frustrated. Dealing with tech issues is frustrating, and pretending otherwise only adds to the stress. Let yourself feel the frustration. Vent if you need to. But don’t let it consume your entire day.
One approach that works for me is setting a timer. Allow yourself a set amount of time to feel frustrated—whether that’s five minutes or half an hour—then commit to moving on when the timer goes off. This way, you can express your frustration without letting it derail your whole day.
Step Away from the Problem
When you’ve hit a wall with a tech issue, sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from it for a while. Take a break. Go for a walk, do some stretches, or focus on something else entirely. Giving your mind a break from the problem can help reduce stress and might even lead to a solution popping into your head when you least expect it.
Sometimes, just stepping away from the computer is enough to clear your head and give you the energy you need to tackle the issue again later.
Shift Gears and Focus on What You Can Control
If the tech issue isn’t going to resolve itself quickly, shift gears and focus on something else that you can control. There are always tasks that don’t require the specific piece of technology that’s giving you trouble. Maybe it’s switching software, working on another device, working offline, or tackling a completely different task.
Not only does this help you stay productive, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment, which can be a much-needed boost when tech issues have you feeling stuck.
Seek Help and Solutions
Remember, you don’t have to solve tech problems on your own. Reach out for help—whether that’s contacting tech support, looking for solutions in forums, or asking colleagues who might have faced similar issues. There’s no shame in seeking out a solution from someone who’s more experienced with the specific issue you’re facing.
Sometimes, even just having someone else to talk through the problem with can spark an idea for how to fix it. That’s one of the reasons I so love The Coworking Cooperative Membership. There is always someone around who “get’s” it. Often they can offer suggestions, and even when they don’t they can at least lend an understanding ear.
Return with a New Approach
After taking a break and potentially finding new resources or ideas, return to the problem with fresh eyes. Often, a bit of distance can help you see the issue from a new perspective, making it easier to find a solution.
If the issue still persists, consider whether it’s time to seek a long-term fix—like upgrading your hardware, switching to a different software, or finding alternative methods to achieve your goals.
Share Your Experience
Tech issues can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re putting in all the effort yet still can’t make progress. But these challenges are temporary, and with the right approach, you can overcome them without losing too much momentum.
Next time technology tries to slow you down, remember: it’s okay to be frustrated, take a break when you need to, focus on what you can control, seek help, and come back to the problem with a fresh perspective. With persistence, you’ll get through it—and you’ll be back on track in no time.
If you’ve got your own tech horror stories or tips for dealing with these kinds of issues, I’d love to hear the stories and the solution you used. Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s help each other out.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks