Tips for Reducing Stress at Work
Helen Tang
July 02, 2005
When I asked a friend what she would like to read when picking up a magazine, her #1 choice is how to reduce stress at work. As a career woman myself for over a decade, I understood her perfectly. I’d love to share a few tips here:
Get started – don’t wait. The longer you wait, the heavier the task weigh on you. And believe me, once you started, often you find that you really enjoy doing it and wonder why haven’t you started sooner.
Do one thing at a time – Your job description may include multi-tasking, such as answering the phone, data entry, and receiving customers. But you really can’t do all the three things at once. Prioritize the task at the time, focus on it, and let the rest wait.
Cut a big task into smaller ones – Smaller tasks are less frightening and easier to get started. It is also easier to delegate if you get help along the way.
Get things done – You get the satisfaction of having accomplished something, and also take one piece of rock in your task bag which is hanging heavily on your neck. Whoosh, gone! Now you can do the remaining things with a lighter weight on you neck.
Focus on the task – It is the most important thing in the world at the moment. You couldn’t afford to let your mind wander to other trivial things like a promotion, injustice in the world, or breaking up with a boyfriend. No, the most important thing is to get this report done, now. And if I don’t, I may get fired and end up living on streets... You get the picture.
Get help when you need it – Don’t play super hero when the situation calls for unusual effort. You maybe able to handle it and feel like a hero, but often it places a stress on you that will run for weeks; and if you don’t get recognized for your heroic effort? It may run for months.
Enjoy what you do – Do the work for your own satisfaction. When you enjoy doing something, you tend to feel rewarded and energetic, and look forward to work in the morning.
Live one day at a time – Don’t look too far and let the future weigh on you. The truth is, no matter how strong, powerful, and capable you are, you can’t control everything. Focus on what you can control – the task at hand, and do it to the best of your ability, and enjoy doing it.
Have a family and a circle of friends – When you are off work, be with your family and friends, and get your mind off work so tomorrow you will have a fresh start, and even a fresh point of view and get things done creatively.
Get started – don’t wait. The longer you wait, the heavier the task weigh on you. And believe me, once you started, often you find that you really enjoy doing it and wonder why haven’t you started sooner.
Print
Email
