Stress Management as a Powerful Leadership Trait
Work with your energy for better balance.
A new year brings new stress. Or not?
It is exciting to start over with a fresh mind. Yet, this feeling often lasts only a few days or even hours.
You are likely to go back to your old habits when you come back to the same work environment and the same problems.
I used to get tense whenever I came back to the office after the holidays. The typical smell of carpet and my full email box triggered feelings of stress. Immediately, all my resolutions and wishes went down the toilet.
To manage your stress, you need to do more than “hope” for a change. You need to rewire the way you work and operate in various situations.
In short, you need to find and keep your focus.
Are you stressed?
Stress does not have to be bad. It can also be positive. You know that excitement when you can’t wait for something to happen? That is positive and fun!
But what if you imagined your emotional life like a pendulum? You experience a lot of ups and downs but not much of a balance. When it is moving, it is difficult to stop it.
One time you are under pressure. The other time you are over the moon. That can be very exhausting.
When stressed, you might feel:
Like you can’t switch off your thoughts and focus
Annoyed, irritable, or angry
Overwhelmed and stuck
Anxious and nervous
A sense of dread
Demotivated
Overexcited
Worried
You can also experience stress physically:
High blood pressure and a beating heart
Sleeping problems
Appetite changes
Period changes
Panic attacks
Feeling sick
Headaches
Sweating
Fatigue
Source: Pinterest
Stress management is a leadership trait because it prevents intense interactions. When you are stressed, it is not you.
Things that usually take you a short time now take a long time. You may snap at people. You do not join conversations. You even forget things. I am not even talking about being high on coffee or neglecting proper lunches.
If there is one thing you should learn, it is to live your life in balance. Not to bounce from one extreme to the other.
What are your stress triggers?
Stress is a response to a recognized threat = external events.
Everyone suffers from stress from time to time. But the triggers can be different for each person.
You may have work-related stress. Such as:
Unpleasant boss or clients to work with
Unemployment and finding a new job
Restructuring your company
Exams or deadlines
Retiring
It may have financial stress:
Worries about having enough money
Unexpected expenses
Mortgage
Health stressors:
Chronic complications
Illness or injury
Mental health
Pregnancy
Death
What is it that puts you on hold? Be honest with yourself. Without knowing your triggers, it takes longer to make an effective change.
The same is true for working with other people. When you recognize they are stressed, you can help them manage their fuss and work productively together.
Tip for you: Book an hour for yourself and write down everything that stressed you last year. Look at that list and mark three things you do not want to experience again this year.
Decide to leave some of this stress behind.
Then, when you face a similar situation, remember, you do not want it. Take a long breath. Get out for a short walk. Pamper yourself with a delicious lunch. Try not to lose focus. When you know your triggers, you can manage them better.
Find your balance and focus
The goal of embracing stress management is to help you find balance and focus. When you are emotionally hijacked, you cannot function properly.
The process is like stopping the pendulum.
Over the years, this process has proved to be helpful for me.
1. Catch it
When you are high on stress, it might feel like being on a rollercoaster. It is going without your involvement. You are just letting your emotions push you here and there.
It comes in waves. You are stuck, then frantically do something, then feel stuck again, etc.
The first step is to catch yourself. Notice what you are doing while you are doing it.
Do not rely on others to tell you that you are stressed. Name what you feel. When you do, you materialize that feeling. It will help you stop the stress ball from rolling.
2. Balance it
You waste part of your energy tank on stress. But when you manage to stop it, you bounce some energy back.
How do you recharge? It can be going for a short walk. Meditate. Play ping pong. Listen to your favorite music. Basically, get out of a stressful environment.
Do what you enjoy. That is how you get back on track. Try visualizing how you place pendulum marbles in one line. Balance them.
It is impressive how refreshed you feel when you take a step out of a stressful moment and let it be for a moment.
I used to work in an open office with a lot of noise. I could not focus. Because of that, I was stressed. My balance was to book myself a meeting room and work alone. A small change in environment helped me cope with the stress I experienced.
Try to change rooms or get outside if you work at home. Even 10 minutes outside can help you focus better.
3. Feel the relief and pride
The last but not least part of the process happens when you feel good about what you want to do. When you manage stress, you feel relieved.
All the marbles are in one place.
Relief fills you with positive energy and a sense of accomplishment. Be happy with yourself! You did it!
Self-appreciation allows you to reflect on your strengths and can build on your confidence.
Whenever you manage, you will feel you manage next time too.
With time, you will feel relieved and positive quicker. Keep practicing your pendulum. I am sure you will have fun with it.
Stress management is a powerful leadership trait
Who do you like working with? Probably with people you can trust, and you know what to expect.
No one likes moody coworkers, clients, friends, or bosses. I have experienced moments like these before:
“Do not talk to him today. He’s in a bad mood.”
“I don’t have time. I am stressed.”
If you can be there regardless of positive or negative circumstances, you will build respect and friendships at work and in life.
Don’t waste your energy on stress. Turn it into something worthwhile and fun.
Good luck balancing your stress pendulum!
What’s on next week?
On Monday a case study about how to handle imposter syndrome will be released.
On Tuesday, I will record the very first podcast ‘Meet a leader’.
On Thursday, you will receive your regular weekly newsletter as you are used to.
A lot to look forward to :)