Ask any manager about stress at work and you are likely to hear how many projects they are working on with a reduced headcount while keeping pace with the new norm of “doing more with less.” Stress often becomes part of your day and the signs of handling more stress usually occur when lunch is skipped and the day lingers to into night.
The notion of pushing through one more week of long hours before slowing down can be a broken promise you make to yourself albeit with good intentions of seeking balance. Yet some people tend to thrive on stress and the more chaos in their day the more productive they become.
Stress can appear as though it’s connected with the volume of work: The higher the workload the more stress you endure. Truth is stress is more likely related to your feelings about yourself on the job.
We have all heard about the type A or type B theories that describe personalities such as type A’s being hard drivers , relentless in their desire to achieve while type B’s tend to be more laid back, easy going and more relaxed.
The way stress is managed indirectly affects your health, and over time, the results can be devastating if not changed, such as handling anger, getting enough sleep and recognizing when stress is interfering with work.
There is an additional type of personality that is worth noting that Dr. Robert and Marilyn Kriegel have identified in their book, “The C Zone: Peak Performance under Pressure”. They describe people who perform at their peak levels by managing stress in a different way.
People who are working in the “C” zone share three characteristics that gives them the ability to manage stress by; being in control, keeping their confidence and commitment to the task. All three characteristics support the notion that stress can be a state of mind and handled in a healthier way than staying overwhelmed.
Athletes are good examples of working in the C zone when you examine how they use the three characteristics when performing at their peak levels. In order to compete effectively you need to feel as though you are in control and confident with the commitment it takes to focus on the goal at hand. While you might not be sports focused, the same principles can apply to the workplace.
People who work in the C zone are focused on getting the job completed in an efficient manner rather than responding to the amount of stress produced by a heavy workload. When you feel in control and confident in handling work rather than feeling overwhelmed, stress losses it’s negative effect.
If stress is starting to interfere with your happiness at work, step back and apply the three characteristics that keep athletes performing at their peak levels to your situation. What can you do that makes you feel more in control and confident while staying focused in solving the problem at hand rather than internalizing the stress?
Here are a few things you can do to help manage stress at work:
– Recognize what you can control and when to “let go”.
– Increase your confidence in handling the workload, be aware of your self-talk and eliminate negative thoughts that lead to doubt and distress.
– Focus on solving problems rather than getting caught up in the noise of stressed colleagues who are often vocal in complaining about the workload.
– Change your mental focus: See changes in your workplace as ways to enhance your skills or create new opportunities for you.
– Take care of your physical and emotional health, it helps to exercise on a regular basis and eat healthy.
– Learn to visualize relaxation. The art of mindfulness is helpful in getting a new perspective and regaining control.
How does stress affect your productivity at work? How do you cope with an overwhelming workload?
