Q: I start every year determined to lower my stress level at work. I tell myself I’m going to keep things in perspective and keep a positive attitude. And every year, right about now, I find myself right back in stress city. Any suggestions to help with those new year’s work resolutions?
A: Around the middle of January, if we’re honest, we know if we’re really going to eat more veggies, stop watching TV, or call home more often.
Resolutions are hard to keep even when they’re personal and we’re in control. I’d say workplace resolutions (like reducing stress) are especially challenging because so much about work is beyond our control, including those triggers (the annoying co-worker, a rude customer, an impossible deadline), that usually cause us to revert to the old. So you have my sympathy.
But it’s not hopeless.
Here’s my advice: Don’t try to achieve an entire goal at once. It’s unrealistic. Reducing “stress level at work” is far too general to accomplish all of a sudden. I suggest you break it down to 12 major factors that affect your stress level and devote one month to reshaping each one.
For instance, let’s say one stressful factor is being asked by others to do something at the last minute. Another might be, your weekly meeting with a demanding boss.
So you devote January to figuring out a way to discourage others from waiting until the end to ask for help. You could practice the skill of setting boundaries and saying no. Like “I would’ve liked to help, but with such short notice, I can’t”; or “The sooner I know you’ll need me, the better I can help you”. You have a whole month to try out different strategies on people and find out what works best. Supposedly, it takes 21 days to form a new habit, so by the end of the month you’ll be set.
Next, dedicate February to figuring out how to reduce tension at weekly meetings with your boss. See the gist? Concentrate on one factor, reshape it, build on it, and by the end of the year, Voila! Reduced stress level. Tips to share? Please send.
© Copyright Eva Del Rio
