Stress Management..........
Colin Thompson
Managing Partner Cavendish/Author/International Speaker/Mentor/Partner
Stress Management
An Overview
Stress is a stealthy and sometimes perplexing influence in our lives. It can motivate us to great accomplishments. Or it can nearly paralyse us.
The good news is that, while we often can not control the "in" box of external pressures that weigh on us, we can always control how we think about them and how we choose to deal with them.
The bad news is that, if we have not been taking care of ourselves physically and mentally, our ability to handle inevitable stressors may be severely limited -- and our health compromised.
My goal is to enlighten you about how I can manage YOUR stress, adjust YOUR thinking and conquer change, share my expertise in this article.
I contribute my knowledge about the phenomenon of stress, and my wisdom about how to keep it in perspective.
How Stress Affects You
When you do not manage stress, it manages you.
Chronic stress -- lasting four months or more -- can compromise your immune system and make it more likely that you will fall ill.
If you think stress is something you'll get around to addressing "someday" in your life, it's time to take stock.
Beyond the physical impact that stress can have, studies show that chronic stress interferes with our ability to think.
It attacks those areas of the brain responsible for acquisition of new information -- our ability to learn something new and to access that which we already have learned.
And here's the kicker: We need clear thinking to stay on top of our stress.
The demands of a CEO's job (and any job) can be energising, or exhausting. Which of these is the prevailing reaction for you?
Resisting Change: The Allure of the Status Quo
Many people know that the way they are handling stress is debilitating, yet they refuse to change. No wonder: undertaking change, in itself, creates stress.
So they may engage in denial, or avoid it by relying on their "proven" methods to reduce their stress, such as having several drinks of alcohol every night.
Our bodies and minds sometimes are in conflict; but the pain of change in fact may be less than the pain of the status quo.
Adopt the mindset that the other person in your relationships is not the problem, you are the problem. In fact, you are the central problem in your life. From that perspective, you also become the solution.
A "Stress-Busting'" Attitude
Developing a positive, stress-busting attitude is the first step to taking charge of stress. Remember: You can not control many things that happen to you, but you can control your attitude.
I share the issues out that executives have chosen the lives they lead -- with their money issues, people issues and time commitment. If you look at it as a series of have-tos, imprisonment, bondage, you will enjoy it less well than if you recognise it's `your` choice.
One technique to thwart stress, involves doing a "gross impact activity" -- pounding something -- to release tension in a productive way. Opportunities to fight stress range from hitting a punching bag to running or jogging (pounding the pavement), or hacking at weeds.
By working off steam, we can calm ourselves. By exercising choice in our attitudes, we can make changes and become master of our moods. By choosing our "self-talk" carefully, we can redirect our behaviour and actions.
Accountability: A Key to Defusing Stress
As pressures build at the office, you may vent in frustration or anger -- which only raises the level of stress in your world. The pent-up stress that you release may be absorbed by, and accumulating in your employees.
Can some of your stress be traced to the fact that your organisation is not operating from a position of accountability?
I recommend these steps to building accountability:
- Adopt the right attitude.
- Be accountable yourself.
- Hold others accountable.
- Write down your priorities.
- Make and expect commitments.
- Get and give support.
It's also important to be able to delegate effectively, and let go. Steps I recommend to do this are:
- Be clear about the results you want.
- Establish a date/time for completion.
- Schedule a date for a progress report.
Managing Yourself for Stress Reduction
In order to manage yourself, I recommend creating two types of lists:
- A "Master To Do List" and
- A "Six Most Important Things to Do List" .
These simple self-imposed activities can help you accomplish everything from remembering where the keys are to accomplishing a major project.
Rx: Relaxation
To manage tomorrow's stress, you must begin today.
I and other experts agree that techniques like learning the "Relaxation Response," meditating, and doing aerobic exercise will all benefit executives interested in managing their stress.
The catch is: you can not expect to begin these activities when you're stressed and expect results.
I recommend for meditation or practicing the relaxation response, you need to devote 10 to 20 minutes daily. For aerobic exercise to offer optimum benefit, you need to do at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily, and be sure to warm up at least five minutes before doing any exercise that will put stress on your heart.
Regularly following stress-immunisation activities gives us the ability to bounce back and take charge of stressful circumstances as they arise.
Change Your Focus
Many stress management techniques focus inward -- on what you can do to relax and reduce tension. Another way to diminish stress, is by focusing on others, and pursuing balance.
The best leader is the best servant, so executives ought to be serving everybody they lead.
To attain balance, you may need to learn how to play non-competitively. Think about any fun you had as a child that did not involve winning. What was it? How could you revive that interest today, or take up something similar?
Change Your Life
Stress management techniques can help you cope with stress in your life. Change can help you remove many of the stressors.
Meditating or working out may help you cope with trouble in your marriage, but it will not help you change the status quo.
Tough but important questions are:
- How can I have a better marriage?
- What can I do to have a better relationship with my children?
- How can I work on my relationship with my business partner?
Fundamentally, how can you put your highest values to work in your life? And that's one set of values -- whether your at home or at work.
Being healthy can be defined as 'the ability to love, work, play and think soundly.
In order to be healthy and manage stress optimally, you may need to cope -- and change.
"Two little words that can make the difference: START NOW."
Fresh thinking requires a vision to see beyond the conventional. When you combine excellent quality with outstanding value for money you will begin to realise the full potential of creative and well presented business solutions. Together, the sky`s the limit. Have passion to learn and let the knowledge help you to be successful in life.
What are your plans?
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To building strong relationships, this is your future for success...
Makes all the difference......Enjoy Your Journey...
Have fun, learn heaps, and remember life is all about commitment, have the right attitude to make `your` own success in life with others!
May all your success be fun and may all your fun be successful!
Make 2019 AND BEYOND to `Manage your Goals for Success`...
Now go and be successful and appreciated.
Are you programmed for success?
How are you developing your character for Success and Happiness?
Now go and be more successful.
Sharing information from many sources for your success
About the Author Colin Thompson
Colin is a former successful Managing Director of Transactional/Document Manufacturing Plants, Document Management/Workflow Solutions companies and other organisations, former Group Chairman of the Academy for Chief Executives, Non-Executive Director, Mentor - RFU Leadership Academy, Mentor - Coventry University, Mentor - The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Business Advisor NHS Deanery, author/writer Business Advice Section for IPEX, Graphic Display World, News USA, Graphic Start, plus many others globally, helping companies raise their `bottom-line` and `increase cash flow`. Plus, helping individuals to be successful in business and life in general. Author of several publications, research reports, guides, presentations, business and educational models on CD-ROM/Software/PDF and over 4000 articles/reports and 35 books published on business and educational subjects worldwide. Plus, International Speaker/Visiting University Professor.
Strategist | Mentor | Speaker | Author
DDL: + 44 (0) 121 247 4589
email: colin@cavendish-mr.org.uk
Skype:colin.thompson384
ETHOS
INTEGRITY is non-negotiable
EXCEED expectations
CHALLENGE conventional wisdom
RESPECT for all
Head of Delivery at The Expert Project
5yOne of my favourite things to read about, business could not use this enough!