I believe stress can be both a motivator and distractor. It can motivate you to make the necessary changes to de-stress the events making your life stressful. It can be a distractor by not being able to focus clearly. Having a plan to manage your stress is the best course of action.
Since stress can affect the immune system causing us to incure more stress related illnesses, it then becomes a physical and mental distracter.Whatever the root cause of the stressors, the stressed worker tend to be fatigued, prone to mistakes and injuries, and become a victom of absenteeism and non productive.
On the other hand, when the body reacts to a stressor and the adrenaline and cortisol triggers a useful, positive protection, this allows us to act or react at different rates. We then start to realize that fear, worries, and other anxieties can be used to motivate us. Often, we can eliminate stress in our lives by turning that energy into something positive - in this case, motivation. This is a powerful tool, because it actually tackles 2 problems: stress and motivation.
Robert,
Disversiity is what makes it all work. The diversity can be stressful but with leadership it is the best formula for success.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I believe it is what the individual makes of it, it can be both and more. I think that there are too many personality types and situations to be just one, the other, or the both.
Linda,
You appreciation for listening to your body is a strong characteristic. It is what you do when your body is speaking to you. Good for you.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I have recently realized after the diagnosis of ulcers I was not using the proper stress mgmt techniques, when all alone i was like an adrenaline junky trying to meet the deadlines. You MUST listen to your body when it tries to tell you something.
Claudia,
Some times the best solution to reaching a positive outcome is to step away from it for a while. Then come back with a new vengeance.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I totally agree. I do not work at the same pace nor with the same concentration when I am stressed out.
One thing that I have being doing once I feel stressed out is stop, breathe and look at the positive sides of what will be the final outcome. I trace more or less some goals.
Juliet,
There is both healthy stress and bad stress. Sometimes this depends on your own mental and emotional state of mind. Some stress for one person may be motivating but distracting for another.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Well for me stress is both a motivator and distracter. Ofcourse when I need to make a deadline stress becomes a motivator helping me reach that goal. And when I'm overly stressed with work issues and family issues sometimes it makes me lose my focus and I get very irritable. So personally, I feel stress is both with less stress being the motivator and excessive stress as the distracter.
Susan,
Each task should have clear expectations. Build your goals around the expected outcomes.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I am someone who tends to procrastinate on things but it does seem like if I spend too much time on something or have too much time to think about it then the overall quality suffers. I have a hard time with over-thinking...
Juvenal,
Stress with positive outcomes can be good motivators. Stress can also be negative with bad outcomes. Financial, personal, physical etc can be negative stresses.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Motivator... Because stress and motivation is an interesting subject. Stress can actually act as a serious motivator in changing one's behavior. In fact, change cannot occur without first a stressor being applied.
Shane,
I have used this methodology with my students. Assignments started on early reduces the stress and improves the grades in most cases.
Dr. Gary Carlson
Shane,
Good point, if you can approach your stress with idea that is only a challenge. Challenges you can achieve.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I tell my employees to be proactive instead of reactive and NOT TO PROCRASINATE. You will eliminate a lot of unnecessary stress if you follow these rules.
You will always have what is considered to be stres. I believe its only harmful stress if you look at everything from negative prospect.
Louise,
The secret is to keep your focus on the goals. Prioritize them and stay on the path. You may have to adjust your path but don't get off the road.
Dr. Gary Carlson
I find stress a distration. I find myself worrying which distracts me from my tasks.
