Stress management in the workplace is a topic that continues to surface whenever we work with our business clients. We tend to find that many organizations still have issues with communication, organizational identity and staff morale. Based on a recent conversation with some employees working at a medium-sized business, here are the five tips we developed for handling stress management in the workplace. Pour yourself a nice cup of java, and have a listen to what we advised.
Understand Why You Are There.
You are in a place of business where work is done. You receive a paycheck for the work you do. The business has been created to make money for the owners, stockholders, and other people employed there. Don't kid yourself and think that everyone is there for some noble cause-unless you are working for a non-profit or charity supporting some ideal-people are there to make money. And so are you! If you don't think you are earning enough, look and find a new, higher paying job. Determine for your own peace of mind if this is a temporary employment stop on the road to bigger and better employment, once you have gained experience. Is this a job that you are performing to pay bills? Knowing why you are working at a specific place of employment is the first step toward positive stress management in the workplace.
You are in a place of business where work is done. You receive a paycheck for the work you do. The business has been created to make money for the owners, stockholders, and other people employed there. Don't kid yourself and think that everyone is there for some noble cause-unless you are working for a non-profit or charity supporting some ideal-people are there to make money. And so are you! If you don't think you are earning enough, look and find a new, higher paying job. Determine for your own peace of mind if this is a temporary employment stop on the road to bigger and better employment, once you have gained experience. Is this a job that you are performing to pay bills? Knowing why you are working at a specific place of employment is the first step toward positive stress management in the workplace.
Delineate Where You Fit with the Organizational Scheme.
What is your job title and what's included in your job description? That defines what you are supposed to do. In this case, honesty is the best policy. Understand clearly where your job position fits in the overall organizational chart. If you don't know, find out. Is there room for advancement for you in the organization? Can you make this a lifetime career or is this a job that allows you little opportunity for growth? Maybe knowing that you can maintain the same job responsibilities forever gives you a sense of security. But if you want to be the office manager and right now you are a file clerk, don't kid yourself into thinking you are more than you are. Stress management in the workplace often increases when you are trying to assume job responsibilities that are not part of your job description and cause conflict and competition with other employees. If you do find that you are assuming more responsibilities because of job necessity and you feel like people are taking advantage, speak up with your boss and ask for a raise. If that is not possible, you might want to look for employment elsewhere rather than live with harbored resentment.
What is your job title and what's included in your job description? That defines what you are supposed to do. In this case, honesty is the best policy. Understand clearly where your job position fits in the overall organizational chart. If you don't know, find out. Is there room for advancement for you in the organization? Can you make this a lifetime career or is this a job that allows you little opportunity for growth? Maybe knowing that you can maintain the same job responsibilities forever gives you a sense of security. But if you want to be the office manager and right now you are a file clerk, don't kid yourself into thinking you are more than you are. Stress management in the workplace often increases when you are trying to assume job responsibilities that are not part of your job description and cause conflict and competition with other employees. If you do find that you are assuming more responsibilities because of job necessity and you feel like people are taking advantage, speak up with your boss and ask for a raise. If that is not possible, you might want to look for employment elsewhere rather than live with harbored resentment.
Have An Action Plan for Performing Your Job Effectively.
What skills and abilities are necessary for you to possess in order to effectively perform your job? How many projects are on your desk for you to complete. We have talked about time management strategies and goal setting strategies that are necessary in developing a work plan. If you want to be recognized for quality performance, then make a daily "to do" list and stick to it. Use your time wisely, stay away from gossip, and focus on the goals for completing your projects. Yes, task management can seem a little cold and heartless, but you can find time during lunch hours and during organizational staff functions for socializing with other staff members. Stress management in the workplace becomes more difficult when deadlines are missed, and the rumor mill begins to flow. Keep true to your action plan, developing the skills necessary to complete the work and leave the gossip to someone else.
What skills and abilities are necessary for you to possess in order to effectively perform your job? How many projects are on your desk for you to complete. We have talked about time management strategies and goal setting strategies that are necessary in developing a work plan. If you want to be recognized for quality performance, then make a daily "to do" list and stick to it. Use your time wisely, stay away from gossip, and focus on the goals for completing your projects. Yes, task management can seem a little cold and heartless, but you can find time during lunch hours and during organizational staff functions for socializing with other staff members. Stress management in the workplace becomes more difficult when deadlines are missed, and the rumor mill begins to flow. Keep true to your action plan, developing the skills necessary to complete the work and leave the gossip to someone else.
Self Confidence verses Self Doubt.
"To thine own self be true." So says Shakespeare. The saying fits with the work world, as well. Know what skills you have and what skills are not your strengths. Don't try to be something that you are not. Using the skills, talents, and abilities you possess brings about self-confidence which helps you feel comfortable in the job you are being paid to perform. Trying to perform beyond your skill level leads to self-doubt with lower self-esteem. Stress management in the workplace often becomes more of an issue when people have low self-esteem. Morale suffers as well.
"To thine own self be true." So says Shakespeare. The saying fits with the work world, as well. Know what skills you have and what skills are not your strengths. Don't try to be something that you are not. Using the skills, talents, and abilities you possess brings about self-confidence which helps you feel comfortable in the job you are being paid to perform. Trying to perform beyond your skill level leads to self-doubt with lower self-esteem. Stress management in the workplace often becomes more of an issue when people have low self-esteem. Morale suffers as well.
Know When to Leave.
Every organization has a unique culture which brands its organizational personality and establishes a unique corporate identity and vision. There may be times when you find that, while you once clearly meshed with the organization, its vision, and your work contribution, times have now changed. Referring to our first point, remember why you are working at this organization. If it was to gain experience, maybe you already have. If you are in the job for the money, consider if this is still the case. Maybe you want to follow your passion and enjoy a career that brings more joy and fulfillment than this job. Or maybe everything is just fine. If things are out of sorts between you and the organization, maybe it is time to leave. We don't like to talk about stress management in the workplace if we don't have to. Leave on good terms and on your terms rather than allowing someone else to dictate. You deserve to be in charge of your own destiny.
Every organization has a unique culture which brands its organizational personality and establishes a unique corporate identity and vision. There may be times when you find that, while you once clearly meshed with the organization, its vision, and your work contribution, times have now changed. Referring to our first point, remember why you are working at this organization. If it was to gain experience, maybe you already have. If you are in the job for the money, consider if this is still the case. Maybe you want to follow your passion and enjoy a career that brings more joy and fulfillment than this job. Or maybe everything is just fine. If things are out of sorts between you and the organization, maybe it is time to leave. We don't like to talk about stress management in the workplace if we don't have to. Leave on good terms and on your terms rather than allowing someone else to dictate. You deserve to be in charge of your own destiny.
Dr. Ann Gatty is an educator, author, organizational strategist and personal consultant. She has taught in classrooms, museums, boardrooms and employee seminars. She has mentored, coached and written curriculum in organizational leadership, museum studies, and teacher development. From her work and personal experiences, she finds a continuous need among women, of all walks of life, to find answers to questions about their life balance, goals, and health. Dr. Gatty hosts a website, http://www.stress-management-4-women.com. Visit to find answers to your concerns about handling the stresses of motherhood, professional work, teenlife, midlife and time management. Submit questions you may have at http://www.stress-management-4-women.com/author.html. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Gatty |
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