Stress takes many forms in our business lives. Exactly what it is very hard to define, but two statements seem to me to sum up
main cause and effect:o The fear that more is expected of you than you can reasonably achieve.
o A feeling - real or imagined - that you are out of control and cannot regain right track.
Who gets it? Everyone is susceptible, no-one is immune. However, some people deal with it more effectively. Over years I have studied many people who seem to be able to thrive on stress - or have mastered knack of shucking off effects - and have formulated a ten-part plan to help others cope.
Why stress is so damaging?
o Health: long term stress can severely affect a persons health. The immune system is damaged, nervous system is impaired and susceptibility to minor (and sometimes major) illnesses increases.
o Emotions: when under relentless and unmanageable stress, a persons self-worth is impaired. Relationships suffer and positive planning becomes very difficult.
o Performance: of course, when under long-term stress at work, ability to function at peak levels diminishes. How can we be expected to give 110% if our minds and bodies are slowly shutting down through endless misuse? Typically, a highly stressed person, who is not managing it well, will subconsciously develop behaviors that attempt to minimize exposure to more stress:
o A fear to act - procrastination o Fear of failure o Avoidance of issues o Withdrawal from 'the cutting edge'
The result? You get sidelined and passed over for next person who deals with pressures better.
Not all stress is bad. Some can be beneficial, but only when kept in right proportion.
Most people getting up to give a public presentation feel a high degree of stress. Those who are not paralyzes with fear often say that pressure gave their talk an edge. That adrenaline pumping made them sharp.
How many business people do you know who write documents and presentations weeks in advance? Hardly any, I bet. Most prefer to leave things until last minute to 'be at their sharpest.' And it is true that when under right amount of pressure, mind tends to clear and we see to very heart of problem.
People who manage stress best seem to be able to manage causes of stress, ensuring that too many situations do not develop at once. Because however positive some stresses may be, pile a whole lot of them up at same time and you still are heading for a nervous breakdown.
Can it be beaten? Yes and no. Some stresses are in built - nothing can remove them. They are a part of each person's individual psyche. Some are a vital part of life - try crossing a busy road without a care in world. Some things that wind us up like a spring are not stressful to others - public speaking is a good example.
But ... many stresses can be managed and others can be minimized or removed.
One key factor in dealing with your own stresses is effective self-management. Deal with your internal issues before you look to change world outside yourself.
Here, then is my ten-part plan. Some of elements may seem trite - and on their own they may be - but they all combine to give you a powerful, workable strategy to begin to take back control of your life.
1. Get organized
However busy you may think you are, it is a sure bet that there is a half hour or so every day that is being wasted. Check out goal-setting techniques and time management strategies. They really help - and will show you how to get far more done in same time than you ever imagined possible.
2. Preparation
Get in to work ten minutes earlier than usual to write yourself a list for day. Consider what you need to achieve and point your day towards that end. As Seneca said in 3rd century BC, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
