OWNING YOUR STRESS
problems will arise, and obstacles will come and go. Once I’m able to identify possible stressors for a particular event, I can plan, prioritize, and move toward my goals. So, when the weather turns or my knee aches, I will have a plan on how to navigate through and keep momentum going at a healthy cadence. If I start stressing out about the multitude of problems that could occur at the same time, I will get overwhelmed. But if I train appropriately, map out the course, and maintain good nutrition, I can success- fully move through variable conditions. And I might even be able to check out the scenery along the way. Similarly at the office, we go
through our days pushing to do more and more. We live in a culture where being busy feels good. And I admit that it is sometimes easier (and more efficient) to do things myself rather than delegate. Sure, healthy stress can help drive performance, but it’s not sustainable to take on too much all the time. Before I know it, my days are full of reacting to this or that. Stress happens when we feel that we can’t manage or control a sit- uation. Unfortunately, that is a common feeling at work, where, according to the Gallup report, we spend over 80,000 hours in our life- time. So, how can we spend our time at work more deliberately with less stress? Many of our stressors are recurring and can be anticipated, so be ready for them!
Plan For Stress Stress is here for the long haul, and it must be consistently navigated. Rather than avoiding the hard things, we must learn how to per- form under pressure. Businesses are noticing that customers have grown impa- tient. It feels like everyone’s a little grumpier these days. Now, more than ever, employees need to be calm and in control. If your team stands
FIRST QUARTER 2023
behind your product or service, you’ll be ahead of the game. Be sure your employees have a way to cope with testy customers. We all have our own techniques for regrouping and man- aging stress; maybe it’s exercising, unplugging from technology, sipping on some chamomile, or working from home. Of course, there’s no one-size- fits-all method to manage stress. When you or your team is under stress, recognize that it’s probably because you’re confronting a situa- tion that has been elevated by the current environment. These chal- lenges could take your business in a new direction, so try to reframe them into opportunities. And be open to dif- ferent methods of coping with what (or whom) is difficult.
Prioritize Doing one thing at a time is a simple strategy for being productive. If you know your company well, you know what needs to be at the top of your to-do list. Sometimes this is taking a walking lunch break! The tricky thing about prioritization is that it’s always changing. Things come up, fall through, and get moved around. Learn to focus on projects that will have the most impact and are best aligned with your goals. Not everything has to happen right now. Make it a daily habit to go through your to-do list and delegate. As I plan my tasks, I try to keep a tight view of what’s most important and rea- sonably attainable. I like to schedule the less important tasks for the future and dive into or delegate what’s most pressing. Be sure not to avoid some- thing because it may cause stress. Whether you need to make a critical business decision or take a heated phone call, don’t wait to confront the source of your stress. And know that it’s OK to pivot and try something new if your original plan isn’t working.
Share The Load One thing I’ve learned is how import- ant it is to have a solid team of employees. If you’ve done your due
diligence in hiring people based upon their skill sets and personalities, you will be better equipped to lean into stressors together. How your business functions as a team under stress is a clear indicator of the strength of your business. When your team watches you manage stress, it becomes possible in their eyes. Try not to normalize long hours and last-minute requests. Everyone should find joy in what they do, rather than be under constant stress to do more. Remember: The presence of stress doesn’t mean you’re also successful, and long hours at the office won’t ensure that you are delivering results. As a leader, be sure you’re aware of burnout or conflicts within your team. It’s also a good idea to have a network of people with whom you can discuss things. For example, try connecting with individu- als in your industry or professional mentors who are handling similar mat- ters. You’re not alone. In today’s hustle culture, stress is all
around us. We are taking on more work, and we’re trying to do more with less, but it is possible to succeed as a healthy company while stress occupies our workspace. I know that success is not something that just happens. To get where you want to go, it can be a long, uncomfortable journey full of doubt and struggle. And it’s not so much about the amount of work done. Rather, it’s the intention of doing a job well within a team that cares about the work. Your end goal might be to make top five in a race, offer a new product, or win the customer. If you can just “be” in the moment and make the work meaning- ful, it will show. And the next time a disgruntled customer calls, you’ll be ready to turn things around.
Rod Bolls is the founder and CEO of Boxwell, the Boulder, Colo.-based manufacturer of innovative storage solutions for businesses around the world. He leads a team with honesty and integrity, prioritizing a balance between working hard and playing hard. At the core, Boxwell uses a hands- on approach to business that is carried through- out everything the company does.
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