Being Stressed Out
May Not Be All That Bad
by Marilyn Manning, Ph.D.
Stress is like measles - contagious. But unlike most cases of measles, stress can be deadly. So, what do we do about this all-too-common ailment of modern business? Learn to use stress positively.
Stress is an automatic, generalized response to a perceived need for action. We don’t get locked into stress if we take action; but when we can’t act, the physical and psychological pressure to act remains, and we suffer from stress.
Many people think stress is something to be avoided. But you can’t eliminate stress from your life. Most of us need a certain amount of pressure and exhilaration for motivation. Stress provides these motivators. The real challenge is to use stress positively to obtain maximum performance from yourself and your employees, if you have any.
Uncontrolled stress can lead to physical problems such as ulcers, high blood pressure, and increased risk of heart attacks. Controlled stress, on the other hand, can provide the energy needed for sustained effort and high productivity.
Medical researchers have discovered that some Type-A driven people have what they call “stress resistant personalities.” These people experience a stronger sense of control over their lives than do other Type-A personalities and are, therefore, more stress resistant. They don’t necessarily experience less stress; they just don’t respond negatively to the stressors that they do experience.
If you experience stress negatively, look at the stressful areas of your life to identify action you can take to use stress more positively, and to take control.
Time Management
Often stress is the result of poor time management. People who pace themselves well, prioritize tasks, and take breaks when they need them usually approach deadlines calmly and stress free, and, as a result, they usually meet their deadlines.
Let’s say a customer places an order early in the week for the next month. You decide you can easily meet the order. Three days later, another customer places an order due the same time as the first. You mat think, “I can’t do this,” and panic. Stress mounts. Or, you can take time to think about it, to take control.
Tell the second customer you’ll check the production schedule and get back to him. What solution can you negotiate? Maybe one or both customers will accept a later delivery date. Perhaps you can work overtime or hire additional, temporary help to meet both deadlines. Maybe you have to turn down the second offer. Being able to say “no” when it is appropriate is a major de-stressor.
A valuable tool to help prioritize tasks and gain control over time is a daily to-do list. Some people view lists as restrictive, but to-do lists actually free you. They give you a more global perspective, a sense of where you are going, and allow you to identify what additional tasks you can perform.
Action lists also allow you to prioritize your activities so that you perform those tasks that take you closer to your goal before you work on less important activities. Lastly, to-do lists prevent you from overbooking your day and demanding too much of yourself.
Communication Tames Stress
Stress also comes from poor communication. Unclear expectations, false assumptions, and inadequate feedback can lead to increased, unhealthy, unproductive stress.
For instance, if you ask an artist to render some sketches for a brochure, you may just want some quick pencil drawings. If the artist tends towards perfectionism, the quick sketches may take a week to produce because the artist is putting much more effort into the task than is required by your needs. The delay produces unnecessary stress for you and the artist and may strain your relationship.
A similar situation can occur with a customer who needs a rush order. You may gear up your entire operation to produce the job in a week under tremendous stress, when the customer might have been willing to accept two weeks for delivery.
Make sure everyone knows the standards and expectations before acting. Making things clear in the beginning goes a long way to prevent stress later.
Quick De-Stressors
Better time management skills and communication skills can transform stress into a positive experience. Here are some quick de-stressors you can use to keep stress from producing distress:
Take short breaks and build variety into tasks.
Control your physical work area as much as possible.
Develop a support system of other people with similar challenges and stressors.
Encourage and give positive feedback.
Cultivate leisure and non work relationships.
Take time for physical activity and keep fit.
Talk and play with your family and friends.
Do volunteer work.
About the Author
Marilyn Manning, Ph.D., CSP, CMC, facilitates change and motivates others to resolve difficult workplace conflicts through interactive speeches, workshops, and consulting. Dr. Manning specializes in Leadership, Teamwork, Conflict Mediation, Executive Coaching, Meeting Facilitation, Strategic Planning, and Communication. She has authored seven business books, published in eight languages. Over 80% of her work is repeat business.