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What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed At Work

· Leadership,Jason Walker PhD,psychology,business,work

Even people who love their jobs have to admit that work is a major source of stress. In a survey conducted by the American Institute of Stress, it was noted that 25% of people consider their job to be the number one stressor in their life.

No matter how much we like going to work, at the end of the day, we do it because we have to. Sometimes even the best jobs and the responsibilities that come with them can overwhelm us, but that doesn’t mean we just have to take the stress in stride. Here are several ways to deal with the pressures that help maintain productivity and a positive outlook on the job.

#1 – Be Prepared

It is far easier to deal with stress when your body and mind are well-prepared for the task at hand. Don’t neglect things like sleep or meals. These bodies need downtime and they need to be adequately sustained. Arrive at work on a full night’s sleep and a full enough belly to get through until lunch. If your job is stressful as a general rule, mentally prepare for what lies ahead before even leaving for work and decide to face your responsibilities head-on.

#2 – Stay Focused

Stressors are also huge distractions. If your focus shifts away from the situation and onto how it feels to have to deal with it, your work will get sloppy. You will start cutting corners and taking a minimalist approach to the task. The latter can actually result in more work since cutting corners often generates mistakes and creates more problems to solve.

#3 – Don’t Give In to the Stress

Remember, you’ve got this. Refusing to let the stress conquer you can bolster your desire to do the best possible job in spite of the obstacles. Stress is a leading cause of things like procrastination and fatigue. Visualize finishing the task, not how big or unpleasant it will be. Positivity and a favorable outlook go a long way in reducing stress.

#4 – Remember, It’s Temporary

As a final note, please keep in mind that no matter how crazy things seem right now, sooner or later, the task will be done and you can put it behind you for good. Once you get over that hurdle, the next one will be easier to manage. The sense of accomplishment will help you be even more focused the next time you’re faced with a big challenge at work.

This blog was posted on JasonWalkerPhD.com