The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.
~ William James
Leaders today are under more stress than ever. Although stress can be the catalyst for change and improvement, poorly managed stress can negatively impact your productivity, as well as the productivity of your employees. Following are seven tips harried leaders can use to help manage stress.
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Rely on planning – Stress often comes from having too much to do and not enough time to do it. Start your day with a plan of all the things you need to get done. Prioritize these items. Be realistic about what you can accomplish during the day. Don’t overfill your plate and be sure to leave “wiggle room” in your schedule, for the unexpected.
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Keep the negativity at bay – Those Negative Nancies at your office? Stay away from them. As a leader, you know how workplace gossip can get out of hand, with employees. The same is true among managers and executives who seek out others to complain about the state of things. Filling your day with these negative thoughts and conversations can significantly increase your stress. Instead, when you find conversations turning toward the unproductive negative, redirect it to more positive/productive topics or simply leave the conversation.
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Get some exercise – There is nothing better for reducing stress than good, healthy exercise. I know you’re busy and your schedule is full. These are probably part of the reasons you’re stressed in the first place. However, you need to make time to take care of yourself physically, to help ensure you’re taken care of mentally. Whether you get up an hour early to catch a spinning class at the gym, take a long walk during lunchtime, or play basketball after work, consistent exercise is critical.
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Talk to someone who cares – When you’re feeling stressed, share those thoughts and feelings with someone you trust and who cares about you. This can be a professional colleague, a friend or a loved one. Sometimes simply venting for a little while removes that stressful weight off your shoulders! Be honest about what you’re feeling and why. Keeping your feelings bottled up will only increase the stress.
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Change it up – If it’s a particular project or task that has you stressed, take a break and move onto something else. Come back to it when you’re a little more relaxed and can tackle it again with a fresh sense of vigor. Oftentimes, stepping away from a project can help you come up with ideas and solutions to stressful challenges, while you’re focusing on something entirely different.
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Delegate – Remember, you don’t have to do everything. If you’re stressed out because there aren’t enough hours in the day, delegate some of your tasks to others. Don’t micromanage the tasks you delegate, but do provide clear instructions and support, following up with your employees periodically to ensure they’re on the right track. Although it may seem like it would be easier just to do it yourself, the stress you feel from being overburdened means you’re operating at reduced efficiency and efficacy.
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Take a vacation – The world will not stop revolving if you are not there. I promise. Plan to take a vacation periodically through the year. Do not bring your laptop. Instruct your employees that you are only to be contacted by cell phone if there is an absolute emergency that cannot wait until your return. Taking a vacation will help ensure you’re maintaining a healthy work-life balance, will reduce your stress and will recharge your batteries, so you’ll return with more energy than before.
CREDENTIALS: Colleen Seward Ryan is an international workplace and employee management expert, award-winning corporate trainer, and conference keynote speaker. A media veteran, she has appeared on numerous radio shows around the country and has written more than 40 popular articles on diverse workplace issues. Colleen has delivered more than 1,100 entertaining programs in 48 states and five countries. She is the author of 10 published audio programs and two books including SECRETS YOUR BOSS ISN’T TELLING YOU.
Colleen Seward Ryan is available for keynotes, breakout sessions, and seminars by calling (623)340-7690.
