We all get stressed at some point or another but I know that it is important to deal with it as it comes. Recognizing that the head ache you have had for the past few days, lack of concentration or forgetfulness can all be signs of stress is helpful in managing it. I for one am real quick to shut everything down at the end of the day and take a few minutes to myself to relax and zone out. Clear my mind and just be. That "rebooting" gives me the opportunity to tackle situations that are stressing me from a new perspective and not become burned out.

A lot of the advice in this course reminded me of information I have read in What Color is Your Parachute. I have utilized that book in classes as a student and an instructor. Another that I enjoy is Who Moved My Cheese? I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for books that are helpful career guides to incorporate into class or that helped you personally. Thanks in advance.

I was recently promoted to a management position in higher education. I am very new at this and would appreciate any advice anyone has to offer on effective management skills.

As we all do, once we are given a task or project we begin our analysis which includes requirements for personnel, equipment, funds, support from others and the most important thing is the allocation of time to meet the goals that are rooted in a task.. As the task develops into a plan by way of analysis, the goals emerge from a task that give forth contingencies or obastacle planning. During contingency planning, things emerge that can invariably derail a goal because complex tasks always involve other people. Whether the other people are supporting or are primary actors in the task they will often procrastinate their portion of the project causing chaos and last minute "hoop jumping." When building a plan to meet goals that involve other people plan for procrastination by others. Set your milestones supporting the goal with the thought that others will wait until the last minute to meet their responsibilities. This natural tendency often causes stress and consternation to those wating to recieve the late or procrastinated products. THis can sometimes prevent a goal from being reached if adequate planning time is not allocated prior to reaching the desired goal.

Working for a manager who expects employees to behave/work in a certian manner, then goes and behaves/works in the completely oppsite manner can be confusing and frustrating. I believe this can lead to employee discontent and possibly a high turn over. Have you worked for someone like this? How did you handle it?

I have recently made the transition from being a full time student with a part time job, to a full time office worker, and now cannot seem to find enough time in the day for anything at all other than work. As a student, althogugh I worked very hard and made highest honors, I always had fridays off and was never inside for 8 hours a day. I am so used to having more time off than I do now, that I find it almost impossible to be content working so many hours a week, indoors, in front of a computer screen. Suggestions?

To me, the main sources of stress are about habits, attitude, and staying away from negativity. Staying healthy and positive is key.

I have observed many friends and peers repulse at my favorite quote. Its not that I live off a written schedule but it provides a mantra for me to avoid procrastination and time wasters. One of my favorite tools is a black composition book that can be bought at walmart for $1. Now most folks would use their IPAD or other electronic devices. I have a composition book for everything. Physical training, hiking, routinge meetings, things to do list, gardening, my investments, etc. The book can be transported easily and if lost it not a large financial investment as in the case of one losing their 600.00 IPAD or smart phone. You can easily identify the comp book with your name and identification info and besides who would steal a black composition book? I like to write things down in the black composition books for many reasons. Firstly this prevents me from forgeting the task or event. It also becomes an official record for a meeting or directive. I love if when my boss says one thing in a meeting and remembers something else 6 months later. I just pull out the ugly composition book, and "bam" the situation is instantly clarified. Secondly I get the physically satisfaction of crossing things off vice deleting. The book eventually becomes a disposable reference that can be indexed as necessary and later if needed destroyed. The writting down of all tasks enables me to prioritize those tasks. If I find tasks that are not a priority and can be done in the future, like continuing education, I transfer those tasks to a digital list and post to a digital calendar to be addressed at a later date. This planning feature for low priority tasks allows those tasks to be accomplished in small chunks, overtime and as time becomes available. Using this system for all things in my life allows me to never be bored, always have something to do, and I am able to achieve all my personal and professional goals.

It's difficult to manage stress in today's world, but if you can hone in on your coping skills and really work on what you can manage and shelf the stress you can't manage.

I changed my job, but now I feel like I do not have enough to do.

The key to good management is letting your employees know you are always learning too!! The first time claim you know it all is when you lose their respect.

sometimes we are doing it, without even thinking about it. we just have to take it one day at a time. I believe the support of those who love us and see our everyday challenge, will help tremendously in making progress.

Procrastination is one of the larger contributors to stress at work, school, and at home. So many times in my daily relationships I see my family and friends wasting time that could be used more productively. Later the same friends and family will complain they have to stay up all night to reach a suspense they have known about for months prior. All of us need to relax, but procrastination can also affect your coworker's, friend's, and family's management of time. I found myself getting stressed by others who assumme waiting until the last minute to finalize staff coordinations is a productive method. They assume that the receiving staff organization wants 100% information, and that it is best to wait until 100% information is achieved rather then provide partial information earlier. Sadly this methodology does not take into consideration others who recieve the information and have to process the data to meet a their own suspense. They also have less time to do final coordination themselves because of the procrastination.

I know this is going to help me a lot. Very often in class I get tied up with rules and procedures. Although important, if only a few students need attention in this area, I will schedule time to meet with them to discuss expectations for improvement. It's sort of like not addressing emails instantly, and should not be a first priority.

This is my first job as a instructor. How can i better manger stress of students that really need to grow up

I am so glad that this course was offered. I am in a situation as a new instructor of learning a new curriculum, studying for my teaching license, running my esthetics business. So much going on, but all intricate parts of my overall business plan. Utilizing the SMART structure will help me sort out my priorities so it won't seem so daunting. Which parts of this course have made a significant difference in the way your view your professional goals?

Suppose you enjoy your job and you love your family; but you feel that you are not able to be there for your family "all of the time". My children are grown with their own families; but I still feel obligated to them. Any ideas?

Our school has made constant curriculum changes throughout the years causing much stress to faculty and students. At times we don't have the proper tools or information, including textbooks for our students. What is the best way to deal with these stressful situations?

I work with 90% women I'm a man & it seems that women need more feelings put into change. Our men you ask them to change you need to give them the facts & then they are ok. Women they want to also know the facts but I always need to say to them how do you feel about this before changing anything.

I Feel, career management is a lifelong process where one needs to reevaluate his progress often to be able to achieve his/her goals.