Ask Linda: Work/Life Balance and Stress Management
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Excerpt from BlueFountain's Ask Linda Column, Chapter One, Life-Work Balance, on the topic of Stress Management Dear Linda, I'm way to young to be so stressed about little things. What can I do about it? She-Who-Is-Too-Young-To-Be-Stressed Dear Too, It breaks my heart to hear people of all ages with similar pleas, but especially when it comes from someone so young. Whether you're experiencing stress because of the heavy time demands and high expectations of day-to-day living in Silicon Valley, or whether you were born with high expectations or the tendency to fret easily, it's easy to relate to the overwhelming feelings of stress and feel compassion for those who experience it - and they unfortunately surround us. These are some words of wisdom, which I hope that you find helpful. 1. Stress is a point of view – you could be the wealthiest, best-cared-for person around, and experience much more unhappiness and stress than those who have little but appreciate much. So check your point of view. 2. Be clear on the choices you’re making and why you’re making them, and be willing to make changes to better reflect what you want to do. It’s really easy to continue to commit to things you used to enjoy, and also very stressful to keep doing so, AND take on new things. So be sure that what you’re doing now is exactly what you WANT to do and why. 3. Know what you CAN change, and accept and work with what you CAN’T. Don’t waste your time complaining about and fighting against what you can’t change. Have the courage and initiative to change what you can and choose to have a good attitude about what you can’t. 4. Work on your own agenda, don’t try to follow that of others around you. Take the time to know yourself and what drives you and make a stand for yourself, and make choices based on who you are and who you want to become. 5. Surround yourself with people who will support you for who you are, not what you do. It will help you manage your stress level. 6. How you do one thing is how you do everything, so choose to do what you do well and focus on doing the things that you do well. With that said, follow the 80-20 rule – don’t be so perfectionistic that it limits your ability to do a lot of things well and quickly. 7. Find enjoyment and appreciation in little things. Don’t wait until you reach a destination to enjoy the journey! Choose to be happy with all the little things that go well. 8. Nobody’s perfect. Forgive yourself if you’re not, and find a way to learn and move on following every mis-step. 9. Find a way to re-set yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed and out of balance. The people, experiences and processes you adopt to do this will help you better manage stress overall. 10. Appreciate all you are and all you have and Keep Reaching For Stars. I hope that you find the advice above useful and welcome your suggestions and edits, and other questions.
Ask Linda: Work/Life Balance and Stress Management
Ask Linda: Work/Life Balance and Stress…
Ask Linda: Work/Life Balance and Stress Management
Excerpt from BlueFountain's Ask Linda Column, Chapter One, Life-Work Balance, on the topic of Stress Management Dear Linda, I'm way to young to be so stressed about little things. What can I do about it? She-Who-Is-Too-Young-To-Be-Stressed Dear Too, It breaks my heart to hear people of all ages with similar pleas, but especially when it comes from someone so young. Whether you're experiencing stress because of the heavy time demands and high expectations of day-to-day living in Silicon Valley, or whether you were born with high expectations or the tendency to fret easily, it's easy to relate to the overwhelming feelings of stress and feel compassion for those who experience it - and they unfortunately surround us. These are some words of wisdom, which I hope that you find helpful. 1. Stress is a point of view – you could be the wealthiest, best-cared-for person around, and experience much more unhappiness and stress than those who have little but appreciate much. So check your point of view. 2. Be clear on the choices you’re making and why you’re making them, and be willing to make changes to better reflect what you want to do. It’s really easy to continue to commit to things you used to enjoy, and also very stressful to keep doing so, AND take on new things. So be sure that what you’re doing now is exactly what you WANT to do and why. 3. Know what you CAN change, and accept and work with what you CAN’T. Don’t waste your time complaining about and fighting against what you can’t change. Have the courage and initiative to change what you can and choose to have a good attitude about what you can’t. 4. Work on your own agenda, don’t try to follow that of others around you. Take the time to know yourself and what drives you and make a stand for yourself, and make choices based on who you are and who you want to become. 5. Surround yourself with people who will support you for who you are, not what you do. It will help you manage your stress level. 6. How you do one thing is how you do everything, so choose to do what you do well and focus on doing the things that you do well. With that said, follow the 80-20 rule – don’t be so perfectionistic that it limits your ability to do a lot of things well and quickly. 7. Find enjoyment and appreciation in little things. Don’t wait until you reach a destination to enjoy the journey! Choose to be happy with all the little things that go well. 8. Nobody’s perfect. Forgive yourself if you’re not, and find a way to learn and move on following every mis-step. 9. Find a way to re-set yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed and out of balance. The people, experiences and processes you adopt to do this will help you better manage stress overall. 10. Appreciate all you are and all you have and Keep Reaching For Stars. I hope that you find the advice above useful and welcome your suggestions and edits, and other questions.