Chances are if you are reading his, you are stressed out about something. Maybe lots of things. There has been a lot written about stress and how to avoid it.
Honestly, I dream of the day when I am not stressed out about something. I am not sure that day will ever come, but if it does, I know that I will have to deal with a little more stress before it does.
Is going through stress the only way to eliminate stress? Sometimes I wonder! I know there are people that are out there as they say “carefree and fancy free.” I am not sure I know what that means and that’s probably because I don’t fall into that category.
OK, maybe I should write something productive instead of stating the obvious. Here goes. There are many different kinds of stress that we all deal with. I think the short term solution is to manage stress. You can’t make it all go away today and you definitely can’t control all the variables that lead up to it. Here are some of the types of stress that I have first-hand knowledge of:
PHYSICAL STRESS
There are many different reasons we suffer from physical stress. Your job may require you to exert a tremendous amount of energy or you may simply be on a rigorous workout program. Both can create physical stress but both for good reasons. On the other hand, maybe you are suffering from physical stress due to lack of exercise or poor eating habits and find even the most basic activities challenging.
MENTAL STRESS
Have you ever heard someone say that their brain hurts? I have used the phrase to describe how I feel after a full day in front of the computer. My brain doesn’t really hurt, but I feel like it should after how much I just used it. Let’s face it, when we are up against a challenge that requires extreme focus, it is going to create mental stress.
EMOTIONAL STRESS
This is probably the big one. Our emotions are probably the most difficult thing for us to manage. Even the slightest of things can set us off. Often times, these are minor things that trigger something bigger and then the blow up. It all comes down to whatever thing is stressing us out turning us into a ticking time bomb.
I have not really stated anything above that you didn’t already know, so what’s the point. The point is that all of these types of stress can be reduced if we choose to. Huh? I said choose to.
Yesterday I made bad choices. My list that I wanted done by mid-afternoon didn’t even start until mid-afternoon. My wife asked me to make her a Blueberry-smoothie and as I proudly prepared to pour the masterpiece into a cup for her, the bottom fell out and I ended up with an 18″ wide frozen blueberry pancake spread across the counter (I should have taken a picture of that, but I was too frustrated to even think of the photo-op.) Most everything else went wrong yesterday and my stress level and attitude reflected it.
What happened yesterday? I let things get to me. That’s usually when things go bad. How do we avoid letting things get to us? That’s the million dollar question and a topic for another day. But this I know … when we let circumstances control our actions our actions will result in our circumstances.
Here’s a thought … Next time things are getting to you (and they will) – consider this question, “what would be the best possible outcome right now?” I would suggest that merely asking the question will reduce your level of stress! And you might just get a really good answer.
Have a great day! It’s the only one you have until tomorrow!
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 4/14/13 photo by author
“when we let circumstances control our actions our actions will result in our circumstances.” I had to think about that line a few times over, but you’re right. It’s a matter of how stressed we LET ourselves get. I must try to be more aware of this… Thanks!
Thanks Rachel. I had to read it a few time as well, and I wrote it! I like it though -it’s true!
Oh, stress. Sometimes I think we’d all be better off if things were like they were before, when times were slower. Sure, people were still stressed out then, but maybe it was less? I think what we all need is to learn how to handle stress better. At least, that’s what I need, anyway. Good post! 🙂
Thanks Kay. I think you are correct when you talk about “slower.” I think the speed of technology is adding to stress not decreasing it – then again it is still us that makes the decision on how to use it.
Great points on Stress Barry. I don’t believe it is something we can avoid or expect to go away in our lives, but I agree we do have a choice of what to do with it. Asking questions are so powerful. I like to ask this question when I am feeling a level of frustration or stress in my life: “What is right about this that I am not seeing here?” Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
I love your question Edward. Open ended and focuses on the positive! Thanks
When everything is going wrong, it is time to stop and regroup. Maybe we need to back off or be doing something else or just resting. I know I don’t do that well either. I have my list and I will try to plow through it, and sometimes to a not so nice end.
Remember to step back and breathe deeply. Don’t make you list too long (haha) and try to guesstimate your time table well (good luck on that too). As much as you can, stop and hear the birds and smell the flowers.
And you can remind me of all of this when I need it, because I will. 🙂
Great insight Mary Pat. I think you have addressed the idea of reflection very well.
Sometimes laughing/smiling lightens the situation. I would love to have seen a pic of the “frozen blueberry pancake” – could be a new pizza base lol
Thanks Retha. Humor can solve so many things in our lives. Sometimes we just need to remember to smile.
Great post. I like the clarity.
(BTW, check out a Blendtec blender for your smoothies. The bottom won’t fall out :0)
LOL Thanks Tom. I am a big fan of your work and appreciate the support! Thanks for your contributions to the Leadership Community!
Barry — I meant to comment on this great post of yours yesterday…but then things got to me….
It seems still-wrong timing to comment on letting things get to us the day after the terrorist attack in Boston. What it takes to right one’s perspective back to “It’s all ok” after a huge, horrific violent attempt to undermine just-that overshadows what it takes to right our keel after everyday, ever-present stressors. Like your blueberry explosion.
But although the scale is wildly skewed the principles that you and I teach are the same. As you so perfectly put it: “when we let circumstances control our actions our actions will result in our circumstances.” So we marshal perspective, meaning we do not get undone, veer off course, or get stuck in the stress); we do what and all that we can, to help, to fix; we put our best foot forward; we forgive, ourselves and those who “trespass against us”; we concentrate on what IS working, what IS good, and make more of that…and another blueberry smoothie. Stess will happen: as I say, “there’s always *It* to Get Over”, but we suffer when stress =s stuck.
Spot on Jennifer. Stress does, all too often, equal stuck. Overcoming the stress is crucial in staying out of the “stuck” zone. Thanks for the insight!