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7 Steps on how to Stress Less, Manage Easier ...and Have a Life

Written by: Christiane Pohl

Article Overview: Seven powerful Steps to help you Stress Less, Manage Easier, Achieve More and make the Vision for your Life and Business Reality.

7 Steps on how to Stress Less, Manage Easier ...and Have a Life

One of the biggest problems with being stressed is that there never seems to
be enough time to focus on becoming less stressed.

However, in order to have enough time, the very first step lies in allocating
some time to yourself; I know of no other way. So I suggest that you take the
plunge, make an appointment with yourself and consider implementing the 7
steps below:

1. Commitment – start by deciding and declaring that you are committed to
reducing your stress level in the next 3 months. Make this your number
one priority project.

2. Clarity – identify your 3 biggest sources of stress. (Time, money,
relationships, work, health….) and then choose which one you will deal
with first

3. Getting to the source – Remember, we stress out for 2 main reasons.

• We perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful.
• We doubt that we have the resources to cope.

And the level of stress we experience in any given situation depends on our
attitude.

What is the real source of your stress?

Let me give you an example: lets say you are stressed about not having
enough time with your family. You feel that you do not have the resources to
keep everyone happy. Your source of stress maybe that you feel guilty,
frustrated and stuck in a situation that you feel you cannot control.

If you look even further however then you may realize that the real source of your stress
is a feeling of sadness. You are sad for not being able to spend more time
with your family and fulfill your commitments at work at the same time.

This is important to realize. Why? Feelings of guilt, frustration and feeling
stuck often lead to feelings of anger and to aggressive behavior. Your stress
level increases and you feel even worse. Acknowledging the sadness on the
other hand will help your stress levels decrease. Then you can express
sadness instead of frustration and that feels very different. This is the first
step towards becoming calm. Now you are ready for the next step

4. Taking action - Change the situation or change your perception of it
(…and your attitude)

• Write down what your ideal life situation would look like
• Then very realistically consider what could be done to bridge the
gap between the now and where you would like to be.

• Imagine a friend would come to you with the same problem that
you are facing. How would you help them? What would be your
advise to them?

• Whatever you come up with – commit to implementing it in a
certain time frame

• If there is nothing you can change in the way you work then look
at changing your perception of the situation.

• What are the positive sides? How do you benefit by being in this
job, spending all this time at work? What do you get out of it? –
listing the pro’s and the con’s of a situation will help your stress
levels decrease.

5. Clarifying Your vision and values – take some time and ask yourself
what is really important to you. What are your key values in life? What
would your ideal life look like? This gives you a reference point, a
destination. Each time you focus and gain more clarity your stress
levels decrease.

6. Acknowledge reality – Yes, you are not superwoman/man. Yes
people will no behave the way you want them to. Yes, life is not fair,
Yes, many things could be improved…and Yes, live is a miracle,
beauty and kindness can be found everywhere and the potential
for improvement is huge. Each time you say ‘yes’ to the complexity of
life with all it’s challenges and beauty, your stress levels decrease.

7. Take Ownership – This is your life, these are your decisions, your
choices. Ideal or not – you are the one who has the final say. - Avoid
blaming others, avoid blaming yourself - Stay focused on living your
values. Walk your talk, lead by example and enjoy the process …and
your stress levels will decrease.

Enjoy the process and if you need any more help then please contact me. I am here to help you Stress Less & Live More.

with my best wishes for your success,

Christiane

Related Articles
  Managing your Stress
  Six Steps To Less Stress
  Lower Stress By Increasing Attitude
  New Year New Intentions New Stress Ten New Opportunities to Manage The Stress of Change According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  Cutting through Stress

Article Tags: business reality, Leadership, Stress Management



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