By Sanjeev Sinha, ECONOMICTIMES.COM
Stress has become part and parcel of our life and, particularly, workplace today. However, while some stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and can also impact your mental and physical health.
Workplace stress is generally associated with the pressure one is encompassed by the issues at the workplace. Although workplace stress can't be avoided, however, there're means to manage or at least reduce it. Here we take a look at some of them:
1. Self-Introspection
Many of us are victims of a stressful work environment. However, when it becomes to dealing with it, most of us do nothing but freak out and end up making the situation even worse.
"At these times, pep talk with yourself can come to your rescue to maintain the calm and handle whatever is thrown at you. No matter what is going inside you, the best quality of a leader is to maintain the outer composure," says Deepak Kaistha, managing partner, Planman Consulting.
2. Enrich your life
If work and the workplace have become the all encompassing phenomena of your life, change it. Enrich your life with good time for yourself, your family, and other endeavours that truly interest you.
"Having that distance and focusing off your job actually work in its favour. Circumstances that were great stressors for you earlier may start seeming less important and bothersome from a bigger perspective," informs Ashish Arora, founder & MD, HR Anexi.
3. Create a network of allies
Build relationships in the organization outside of your immediate work circle. Even when things are going relatively smoothly, reach out to others and share your work and plans with them. Then, during times of crisis, you will be able to fall back upon this ally bank for guidance and support.
4. Prioritize your responsibilities
No matter what your role or the time of the year is, not everything can be as important. Assess what is critical and feasible from the point of view of your plans and resources, and maintain a confident focus on them. Say 'no' to tasks beyond your current priorities and explain why.
5. Maintain a strong track record of success
Despite the current stress, do your best to succeed in your assigned tasks. Build and maintain a strong track record of success. Even if the underlying stress is responsible for it, failure will only add to your stress. Break out of this vicious circle even before it forms, and do not let anything compromise the quality of your work.
6. Delegate certain tasks
Delegate what others can do as good as or even better than you. Delegating not only reduces your work clutter, so that you can now go on to focus on more important things, but also improves others' perception of you as a leader or manager.
"The biggest advantage of working in the corporate world is the ability to work in a team. A great team player shares the concerns and deadlines with the team and also delegates the responsibilities. This not only takes off the burden, but ensures a better result and hence enhanced productivity. Hence stop taking all the load yourself. Share the load and the recognition," advises Alok Bansal, Founder CEO, Alethia Education Services.
7. D-stress yourself
Long breaths and de-cluttering your work area unknowingly reduce stress level to a great extent. Further, a positive attitude, ability to see opportunities in every situation and a good night sleep are a few factors to keep you motivated at work, without freaking out on accounts of increasing pressure.
Besides, "creating a backup of your work, going with the flow, holding on to the faith by unwinding occasionally give you much-needed space, instead of working like a machine," says Kaistha of Planman Consulting.
You also need to practice stress coping techniques. For instance, "go for tea break. Have lunch with a peer. Read an article on your industry or competitors. In fact, taking your mind off your issues at work from time to time can help you feel more relaxed and hopeful," says Arora.
8. Communicate your problem
If you judge it to be wise, communicate your problem to the person who could be responsible for it or help you fix it. Getting a second perspective can substantially clarify your problem, and help you see the right action to take.
"Talking out your difference of opinions with a boss or colleague can at times be a positive step towards reducing the friction between both of you," says Arora.
9. Develop yourself
Stress, all said and done, is relative. What is stressful to one may not trouble another. If your capabilities and attitude are stronger than your stressors, then you will not complain of stress, even if your circumstances are slow to change.
"In addition to applying different practices and techniques to cope with your stress, your most important weapon against it is - YOU. If you develop yourself at all levels - technically and behaviourally - you can become bigger than your stress," says Arora.
10. Have a back-up plan
What is your back up plan if you do not succeed in your current role, or cannot keep your job? A lot of our 'stress' is our mental and physical response to the fear of what might happen if our current plan fails.
Having a back-up plan can help you allay those fears to a large extent. It helps you accept and be at peace with what you will do if, despite giving your best, your current efforts fail.
Source:-The Economic Times
