 |
|
Q: Dear Seymour: I am very stressed at work and feel overwhelmed. How can I relieve some of this stress and better cope?
Submitted by Juanita Tomilton, Evergreen, CO
|
There are a number of effective techniques, and
A: Dear Juanita,
You are not alone. With downsizing, corporate shifts and a competitive workplace, workers now carry a heavier workload than ever before and are paying the price by feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It’s important, however, to avoid feeling like a victim, and develop a role of helplessness.
Stop, take a deep, slow breath and commit now to solving the situation. You can’t wait for someone to rescue you. It is your situation, and you, more than anyone else, have the responsibility for changing it. You have control over how you respond to your circumstance. To help you deal with work stress, make changes and improve your work situation, try the following:
-
Stay in the moment.
Focus solely on the task at hand. Don’t worry about what else you need to do, the situation in general, or who to blame. Remember the value you bring to your work.
-
Get organized.
Organize your paperwork and emails, and write your to-do list. Decide which tasks are not essential. Tackle unwanted projects first so you aren’t dreading them. Finish a task before starting a new one. Minimize interruptions by saying “no.” To be a doer, you can’t do everything.
-
Delegate.
Be specific about what you want done, be clear and take time to answer the person’s questions. Set a realistic deadline for completion. Keep a log of all delegated projects and their status. Keep in mind that workloads are often cyclical – delegate during a crunch time.
-
Take breaks.
Five minutes away from work will clear your head. Lunch breaks are not just for eating, they are also for mental breaks.
-
When you leave work, leave your work behind.
Today’s work has no natural bounds. Do not check e-mails, text messages or cell phone calls 24/7. Rest. If you need to catch up, block some time, get into the office early one day or stay late another but don’t make a habit of it.
Remember that you have this job because someone believed in you and your talents. If you cannot find any way to change your situation, and you continue to feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that you are there by choice. Do you still choose it? If so, focus on the positives.
You can do this!
Seymour
|
