When I was a parish pastor, I loved Monday mornings! Of course, Monday was my day off, which has a significantly different vibe than for most people who find Monday morning to be their least favorite part of the week.
If your work environment is particularly stressful, it’s a double whammy. Stress increases anxiety and lowers creativity. If you’re not happy about being there, chances are your productivity will be dramatically lower than what it could be. And when it comes time for promotion, retention, or perks, the spoils go to those who produce.
Let’s explore a few strategies you can begin using right now to beat workplace stress and set yourself up for greater job satisfaction and maybe even a little extra on your paycheck!
If your work environment is particularly stressful, it’s a double whammy. Stress increases anxiety and lowers creativity. If you’re not happy about being there, chances are your productivity will be dramatically lower than what it could be. And when it comes time for promotion, retention, or perks, the spoils go to those who produce.
Let’s explore a few strategies you can begin using right now to beat workplace stress and set yourself up for greater job satisfaction and maybe even a little extra on your paycheck!
First off, accept your humanity! You are not now, nor will you ever be in this life, perfect. So, stop trying being a perfectionist. You’re setting yourself up for failure because you can never be satisfied with your own performance or that of anyone around you. The harder you try, the more elusive the goal will become. As you strive all the harder, it will adversely impact your health and relationships with your co-workers. That doesn’t mean be a slacker. It simply means “do your best” and let it go. Take 10 minutes and look inside yourself and ask what is really driving you. Is is really wholesome? Is it really worth it?
Next, realize that you are an extremely valuable resource for your organization and you need to be “recharged” if you are to be effective. Put time in your schedule for you. Actually get away from the computer and eat a real lunch. Do you really think that skipping lunch is a sign of commitment to your job? The reality is that by lunchtime your blood sugar is off (caused by hunger), which makes you anxious, easily irritated, and prone to publishing wickedly worded emails that you regret a few hours later once you’ve had something to eat and drink. Of course, it’s often hard to undo the damage that could have been prevented by simply taking a real break and de-stressing for a few minutes. Take a walk. Do something to repair, restore, or re-establish strained relationships or strengthen current ones. Don’t wait for the doctor to tell you that if you don’t change your ways that you’ll be dead before your time.
Third, if you screw up, admit your mistake and own the responsibility. By being willing to demonstrate through your words and actions that talking about and learning from mistakes is a necessary part of long-term career success, you allow others to be honest about their missteps too. I know you may be worried that no matter what you say your boss will hear: “I’m an incompetent boob that you need to replace as soon as you can.” Actually, you’ll be surprised at how being authentically honest and courageous enough to own up will boost your reputation and trustworthiness. It takes strength to admit that you’re not perfect (see item #1 above) and that is something in short supply today, and what is in short supply is typically highly valued and appreciated.
Lastly, watch the company you keep! Hang out with coworkers who are positive and productive and limit your negative self-talk. Your thoughts create your behavior, behaviors become habits, habits create your life. Stop gossiping. Stop being judgmental. Stop participating in the “who’s the most stressed out by this place” contest and focus instead on what’s going well and how much you’ve already learned and accomplished in your career.
You may also find it helpful to find someone to partner with you as deal with any toxic environments or individuals in your life. As a transformational life coach, helping recognize their thinking patterns and make changes that allow them to do things they thought were impossible is something that I do on a daily basis.
You know, a great way to get started on being more resourceful is by signing up for my FREE e-course!
There's nothing more empowering than coming to the realization that you can have, do and be anything you want!
The problem for most people is they don't believe it is possible for them.
The old adage “seek and ye shall find” remains as true as ever. If you look for proof that achieving big goals, big dreams and living a life of excitement and success is possible… you will find it.
The next 5 days could possibly transform your entire life. At the very least, you will begin to realize that not only is success possible for you, it is inevitable! An exciting future awaits you. But you have to do some work at this point to get moving in the right direction. The good news is that you are completely in charge of where you want to go and how you get there. Your journey begins now! Click the icon to get signed up for this completely FREE E-course.
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but please reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
Next, realize that you are an extremely valuable resource for your organization and you need to be “recharged” if you are to be effective. Put time in your schedule for you. Actually get away from the computer and eat a real lunch. Do you really think that skipping lunch is a sign of commitment to your job? The reality is that by lunchtime your blood sugar is off (caused by hunger), which makes you anxious, easily irritated, and prone to publishing wickedly worded emails that you regret a few hours later once you’ve had something to eat and drink. Of course, it’s often hard to undo the damage that could have been prevented by simply taking a real break and de-stressing for a few minutes. Take a walk. Do something to repair, restore, or re-establish strained relationships or strengthen current ones. Don’t wait for the doctor to tell you that if you don’t change your ways that you’ll be dead before your time.
Third, if you screw up, admit your mistake and own the responsibility. By being willing to demonstrate through your words and actions that talking about and learning from mistakes is a necessary part of long-term career success, you allow others to be honest about their missteps too. I know you may be worried that no matter what you say your boss will hear: “I’m an incompetent boob that you need to replace as soon as you can.” Actually, you’ll be surprised at how being authentically honest and courageous enough to own up will boost your reputation and trustworthiness. It takes strength to admit that you’re not perfect (see item #1 above) and that is something in short supply today, and what is in short supply is typically highly valued and appreciated.
Lastly, watch the company you keep! Hang out with coworkers who are positive and productive and limit your negative self-talk. Your thoughts create your behavior, behaviors become habits, habits create your life. Stop gossiping. Stop being judgmental. Stop participating in the “who’s the most stressed out by this place” contest and focus instead on what’s going well and how much you’ve already learned and accomplished in your career.
You may also find it helpful to find someone to partner with you as deal with any toxic environments or individuals in your life. As a transformational life coach, helping recognize their thinking patterns and make changes that allow them to do things they thought were impossible is something that I do on a daily basis.
You know, a great way to get started on being more resourceful is by signing up for my FREE e-course!
There's nothing more empowering than coming to the realization that you can have, do and be anything you want!
The problem for most people is they don't believe it is possible for them.
The old adage “seek and ye shall find” remains as true as ever. If you look for proof that achieving big goals, big dreams and living a life of excitement and success is possible… you will find it.
The next 5 days could possibly transform your entire life. At the very least, you will begin to realize that not only is success possible for you, it is inevitable! An exciting future awaits you. But you have to do some work at this point to get moving in the right direction. The good news is that you are completely in charge of where you want to go and how you get there. Your journey begins now! Click the icon to get signed up for this completely FREE E-course.
My new Facebook site is now up! Please visit. I’d appreciate your “Like!” and if you sign up for my e-list from Facebook, I’ll send you my latest time management suggestions.
Want to use this article on your website or your own Ezine?
Thanks for appreciating the value of this content. You’re welcome to reproduce this article, but please reproduce it in its entirety and leave all the links active. Additionally, here is the short bio that you should include:
Dr. Steve Stutz, CC is a Life Success Coach, specializing in helping clergy and professional church workers not only survive but to thrive during periods of crisis, transition, and renewal. To receive periodic personal development tips and success mindset articles, please join his e-list by visiting www.forwardpathcoaching.com
Copyright: nomadsoul1 / 123RF Stock Photo
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