It is a good idea for reduction in stress is to be organized. It is better to approach your task in an orderly prioritized manner. After your prioritization you can determine if any task can be delegated to other participants on the team. Timelines can be drawn to better adjust to the expected outcome dates.
I use deep breathing techniques. I walk for few minutes and do some stretching exercises. In fact in some times I invite some of my co-workers to do with me and we relief the stress together laughing a lot as well.
It is a good idea. I started my day checking my emails, phone messages and memos in order to prioritize my tasks. Also I checked the "things to do list" from the prior day. In that way I can organize my day establishing short term goals for the day and long term goals for the week.
That's right. My co-workers and I we make good jokes between each other with respect and responsability. If I see somebody under stress I give to them support through a little positive comment or a joke as well and they do for me too.
I have handled workplace stress by just doiing what management want you to have your paper work in on time. Its not that hard to do, dont wait till the last min,to put in your paper work.I teach students who to cook its a great job you should always have an open mind when it comes to teaching it is not about you but the student, thats what these other teachers need to get, it will help them to them to deal with it a lot easyer then to stress out about it. I talk to others about just doing your job and do not complane what mangement ask of us, just get it done and life is a lot easyer.
There has been many managers that have reported the best management book they have ever read is the bible.
I agree with you 100%. Please keep in mind your health, exersice and your own mental growth.
Humor is always good in the work space as long as we laugh with our co-workers and not at them. Humor can add years to our lives and by doing this we make a better work environment. Stress is often broken when someone breaks the ice with something humorous to keep us on level ground.
You are so right. I hvae discussed with many leaders your approach to meeting the challenges of the following day and each leader had their own ritual of planning before that day arrives.
We all have our own ways of reducing stress. Remember to have the balance in life of exercise, health, academic and spiritual living. This in balance will always help us deal with challenges. Your own intrinsic motivation to make a job fun is the formula for not seeing challenges as work but as motivators.
It is always good when you can laugh with someone and not at someone. Humor actually can add years to our lives. Working in solitude with no humor can create a very stressful situation.
We are human race that believes in teams. This was as early as the tribal units back in time. We all thrive when a team can be formed to acheive a goal.
These are all great ideas and work quite well. Please remember each person needs to consider a balance in life with exercise, health, academic challenge and spiritual participation.
If if you and your employees can find that intrinsic motivation that allows you to see your work as fun then you will love the challenge.
Good top management is always looking for the people who are their future. People with great communication skills and creative ideas that may help a company are a must for great companies. You can see in all the productive institutions no matter who they are have people who are willing to take the risk by communicating. As long as you communication is constructive and in the best interest of the company and is professional you will be fine. There will always be those who may want to sabotage your great ideas but don't let them stand in your way.
Exercise is a good tool for stress as long as you keep your life balanced with the other factors which can help you be less stressed. You can find some great recommendations in the book "Brain Rules" by John Medina. He has broke down the ten top needs of your brain. You can see some of his video on youtube under brain rules.
I do my exercises in my garage and when aI run on my treadmill, I turn the light off and listen to classical music. This process takes me into a total relaxation mood. The problems stay behind as I run.
Dr. Carlson,
I would like your opinion. I have worked in various positions in higher management for many years. I still find that my biggest stressor is communicating with higher management. Part of me wants to establish open lines of communication; however, I feel that some of the people that I work with will interpret my sincerity as being negative or insubordinate.
What are your thoughts on this? What do you suggest?
The way that I have personally handled stress in the workplace and have helped others is that I tell my employees that stress is in great part a psychological condition and we all need to develop our personal survival strategies. I share with them my personal strategies such as using "Self Talk". I give them examples of self-talk like; "This too shall pass", "This is not brain surgery."I have the skills and the motivation to accomplish my goals." , etc. I then ask them to share with me their survival strategies. This has really worked with many of the people that I have worked with. We have a very collaborative working environment in which we share how we strive to create balance and harmony in our personal and professional lives.
That's right. when you have a good team in your office you can have a good and healthy enviroment and do a goo job.
Definitively the humor is very important and help with stress relief. I take time to do it in coffee breaks and lunch breaks with my co-workers. We share some jokes and funny situations from our lives.
