Few of us, if any, can control the events in life that impact our day-to-day experiences in the workplace. Unfortunately for many, the perceived loss of control can serve as a primary source of stress and depression. And if you are like most, you spend more time than you'd like on trying to control other people's rumors, anxiety, anger and fear.
In his book "Time Power," Dr. Charles Hobbes suggests that generally life events can be analyzed as falling into one of five categories, which are:
•Events you think you cannot control and you can't.
•Events you think you cannot control, but you can.
•Events you think you can control, but you can't.
•Events you think you can control, but you don't.
•Events you think you can control and you can.
Dr. Hobbes also identifies that there are two major issues impacting our ability and need to control: Each of us is really in control and in charge of more events than we generally like to acknowledge; and some things are truly uncontrollable.
Thus when we embrace what our abilities are to control certain events and our shortcomings for being able to control the uncontrollable, we can enjoy a more positive impression of our workplace effectiveness and enjoy greater life satisfaction.
With this in mind, we have identified the following tips for helping you to cope with workplace stress:
•Practice deep breathing - giving yourself mini breaks can improve your outlook
•Concentrate on the positive - if you seek it, you shall find it
•Set realistic goals - imposing unnecessary pressure on yourself is never positive
•Stay healthy - sounds easy but achieving the same should always be a primary goal
•Develop hobbies - having an outside interest you enjoy can serve as a positive way to maintain work/life balance
•Treat people with fairness and consistency - everyone else can't be the problem in your workday, re-examine how your actions impact others
•Avoid procrastinating - easier said than done, but when you fail to plan you can't expect for events to go smoothly.
Follow these tips and you will start to feel a change in the way you act and your whole outlook on life. Stay positve to be happy.
