2009 has been a very stressful year for the workforce, from the front line worker up through the highest executive. So how do you manage your stress?
A certain amount of stress can enhance your job performance, which allows us to perform at the top of our game. On the flip side, too much stress can be harmful.
Good for Me, or Bad?
Recently Judith Ross from Harvard Business Publishing wrote an article on “How to Manage Your Stress Level”, which took a close look at the relationship between stress and performance. The result was that “as stress goes up, so do efficiency and performance. However, once stress exceeds a certain level, they noted, its benefits disappear and performance declines. Mental flexibility, concentration, and mood all take a hit.”
In the book “Today Matters” John Maxwell talks about the 12 daily practices for success. John discusses how you can make each day a masterpiece by practicing these daily dozens.
Attitude Finances
Priorities Faith
Health Relationships
Family Generosity
Thinking Values
Commitment Growth
—————————————————————————————-
By focusing in on these 12 items everyday you will be balanced in your work and thus reducing the unneeded stress.
—————————————————————————————-
In my case, I had done a good job with all of these habits except for my health. For years I had lead large growing IT organizations while at the same time flipping houses on the weekends, leaving very little time for my health.
When I got laid-off, I began to focus on my health. This ultimately had the biggest impact on my stress level, positively affecting my heart, mind and spirit. I had to come to the conclusion that I needed to spend my time doing things that would serve my future.
Here some things you might need to focus on to help reduce stress:
- Assess your stress level stamina
- Find your pace at work
- Get enough sleep
- Eat healthy
- Work out
- Get enough sleep
- Laugh more
What are you doing to assess your stress level at home, at work, and in between? How are you quantifying the toll it is taking on your work, your relationships, your performance, and your health? How are you managing your “daily dozen” to improve your day-by-day performance and you overall satisfaction in life? I would love to hear your story, so please reply!
Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Yahoo Buzz | Newsvine
———————————————————–
Bryan Gillman is Director of Branch Operations at NextGen Information Services.
He can be reached at [email protected]
Image Sources: mom-goals.com, health.infoniac.com
So true; have been going through very stressful times constructing a family house in the village. During low finacial tides excercising regularly has been very helpful. Again I have been moving from one neglect to the next one, from health, to finance, friendship, good sleep. etc.
Recently for the first time my doctor indicated that my pressure was high and so She precribed sleeping two hrs daily during the day. And in three days my pressure went back to normal without medication.