How to Take Back the Power that Stress Exerts on our Work and Life

As we work and live our lives, we cannot hope to control everything that happens. However, we can control our response to the events we face.

Research on stress in the workplace has demonstrated that we tend to give stress too much power when we allow problems experienced on the job to control our lives. This can lead to poor health, excessive drama in the workplace, and relationship problems at home. Making jokes about not having a "life" outside of work is fine... if they are just jokes. But not if we mean it! Healthy people know they must balance work with the rest of their lives to maintain good health.

Results from the L.E.A.D. Survey show that being able to achieve work-life balance is a key consideration in deciding which organisation to work with and stay with (46% of employees say it is a key consideration). Yet only around 60% of us feel we have the right work-life balance.

Achieving balance is nominated as the biggest source of pressure for employees right now (48% place it in their Top 5 pressures, ahead of all others). With 61% of employees feeling more pressure now than they were three years ago and higher performance expectations being placed on them, being able to balance those expectations with personal needs is fast becoming the challenge of the new millennium.

People who are frazzled by what they perceive as a build-up of stress can take some basic steps to get back their power, manage their lives and keep work issues in perspective:

• Establish a lifeline. Everyone needs a trustworthy ear-someone to talk to, preferably before reaching the boiling point. Develop colleagues, at work or away from work, to help you deal calmly and logically with job frustrations. Talking to others about work problems will help you realise that you are not alone. If something is affecting you, then it is usually affecting others too.
• Prioritise. When job duties threaten to swamp you, step back. Decide what needs to happen in the next hour, or the next day. Take everything a step at a time. Setting priorities helps you organise your workday. Remember when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.
• Learn to say no. Although you cannot usually reject a manager's assignment, you can keep the lines of communication open so he/she knows what else you are working on. Do your part to strengthen the relationship. Ask for regular feedback on your performance; seek your manager's help in setting priorities.
  
  If your workload has increased and you need help, say so. Remember, communication takes two people and managers cannot read minds.
• Leave work on time. It's normal to work past quitting time to finish a project, but doing so on a regular basis creates problems at work and at home. Leaving on time demonstrates to others that you have a life outside work. Set an example by working when you are at work and enjoying other pursuits when you are not.
• Exercise. Do it regularly at a time you set aside just for that. Start with two or three days and work up to daily if possible. Think of stretching, walking, yoga, pilates, swimming, running or biking-anything that raises your heart rate and clears your mind. People who exercise say it gives them more focus.
• Think practically. Change is inevitable, even in slower moving organisations that appear to stay the same. Acknowledge that nothing stays the same and that changes at work will affect you in some way. Then deal with them as they arise. Remember, some changes can be good ones.

When you think that you have little control over your life, remember that you are the only person who controls your attitude. A deep breath and a thoughtful approach to what you are facing will sustain you much longer than will tears, yelling and hand wringing.

For other tools and skills to dramatically improve your personal and professional life, contact your LMA representative today, or give us a call on (Aust) 1800 333 270, or (NZ) 0800 333 270.

Source: LMA's sister company, Profiles International

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