One of our #1 stressors is work. And since most of us work, at some point in our lives, we have to deal with stress. Dealing with and managing stress isn’t always easy, but it is possible. In fact, employers will often ask job candidates how they handle stress at work. This isn’t something you generally put in your executive resume, but it’s an important component of being successful with a job. Here are some of the most common ways people handle stress at work.
Learn How to Manage Your Time
We have all wished for more than 24 hours in a day sometimes. Often times, we can’t seem to get everything done on our to-do lists. Prioritizing your list of to-do items is one of the first steps you can take for better time management. If possible, schedule certain blocks of time to complete a task and reduce distractions, as much as possible, so you can get it done. Many people handle stress by avoiding certain work and doing things. Avoidance only increases stress levels because it is always there in the back of your mind, bugging you. Start delegating! Delegate what you don’t want to deal with. Can’t even think about updating your LinkedIn profile? Let a LinkedIn profile writer do it for you instead. When I have too much on my plate, I ask my assistant Jennie to take some of it over. What a weight off my chest. Take the pressure off yourself by having someone else do it.
Make Lists! Not sure how to go about your daily jobs for work? Create a list! I love lists, mostly because I love crossing off the items. Now, every morning I make a list of what I need to do, and I even do subheadings with things like: Email, Project Updates, Calls, etc. It keeps me ultra-organized and I get them done.
Set Boundaries
You have to know your limits. It can be hard to say “no” at a job. However, sometimes you have to in order to keep your sanity and high work productivity. When you say “yes” to someone, you are essentially saying “no” to another task you already had to complete. It may take time, but knowing your limits will help you manage your stress and saying “no” at the appropriate times. There is nothing wrong with turning something down, especially if it is someone else’s work. It’s great to help out, but not at the expense of your own workload and peace of mind.
Get Up and Walk Around
My Apple Watch actually alerts me to stand every so often. It tells me to take a break. Taking breaks throughout the day can help clear your mind enough to refocus when you get back. Go on a short walk or just sit outside and get your mind off of work for a few minutes. These relaxing minutes can translate into more productive time once you get back to your desk.
Meet with Your Boss
Maybe your workload is just too much. If you are feeling overwhelmed and there is no end in sight, you may want to talk with your supervisor about re-assigning duties. You don’t want to work yourself into the ground to the point where you make a rash decision to quit on the spot. That wouldn’t look good for your executive resume biography, and your supervisor may have a simple solution to help you.
Is It Time for a Change?
So, you’ve done all you know to do. You’ve reduced your stress and nothing has worked. It may be time to gain an overall perspective of your workplace satisfaction. Being unhappy with your job can create stress on its own, and sometimes you can’t do anything to make it better. In situations like this, it may be time to visit a professional resume writing service to brush up your resume and look for new opportunities.
Stress plays a big role in the success or failure of any employee, so contact us at any time if there’s any way we can help reduce your stress level.
