So now that you’re able to recognize some of the signs of stress at work it’s time to figure out how you’re going to reduce that stress. Over the next couple of days we’re going to take a look at two areas of your job you need to consider: time management and task management.
We’ve covered time management before but haven’t really focused on how poor time management contributes to stress. If you are feeling overly stressed you should consider making some changes to the way you operate daily:
Try to leave for work a few minutes earlier each day. Not worrying about being stuck in traffic or feeling rushed when you arrive at work will make a huge difference in your mental attitude.
Make sure your schedule is balanced and realistic. Write out your daily tasks, prioritize them, and move the ones that aren’t absolutely necessary.
Make sure your schedule includes regular breaks. There’s no reason on earth for you to skip your lunch break and you should definitely take at least a 5-10 minute break each morning and afternoon to clear your head.
Learn to say no. It’s difficult, but the inability to say no is usually what causes us to become overbooked, overworked, tired, irritable, and completely overwhelmed. Determine what you MUST do and what you SHOULD do. Learn the difference, and stick to the “musts.”
Taking the way you handle your schedule into consideration should have a huge impact on the level of stress you feel each day. Proper time management was designed to help people avoid stress. Take advantage of your planning skills and use them to simplify your life.
