If you find yourself in a performance-driven field, work-related stress is virtually inevitable. Perhaps you seem to live under the shadow of deadlines, or face the omnipresent pressure of sales targets, or work under a particularly demanding superior. Whatever your situation, there are concrete steps you can take to prepare yourself for the daily onslaught of stressors.
It’s important to note that in and of themselves, high expectations are not unhealthy. As a matter of fact, they can be extremely motivating as they spur you out of your comfort zone and toward greater opportunities. But in order to meet those expectations – and to keep your sanity in the process – it’s vital that you effectively manage your stress and actively combat burnout. Below are some tips to help you sustain your efforts!
Realistically assess what’s in front of you
If you know that you’re the verge of receiving a tough assignment or are about to enter an especially stressful season, take time beforehand to think of potential concerns that could arise and possible roadblocks you might encounter. By doing so proactively, you’ll be less likely to lose your cool when you come up against an obstacle to your progress and you’ll already have a response plan in place. As needed, make sure to seek help from capable colleagues and to request needed resources in advance. And always remember: don’t fret over the variables you can’t control.
Check your work
A surefire way to end up frazzled and fretting is to submit a shoddy product. Whether it’s a rudimentary report to your coworker or a high-level presentation to your entire department, you should always strive for quality before applying your stamp of approval to a project. Of course, this is not to say that you should imprison yourself to perfectionism. There are certainly those instances in which done is better than perfect. But as a general rule, it is far better to start early and to “measure twice and cut once” than it is to throw something together slapdash with mere seconds to spare.
Manage your emotions
When you’re under the gun, it’s all too easy to lapse into a lousy mood. As responsibilities pile up and deadlines inexorably approach, even the hardiest of optimists has to fight the nagging whispers of his or her inner pessimist. Add to the mix a demeaning colleague or an impatient client, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a spirit of negativity. To avoid this, take regular, intentional moments in your day to step back, disconnect, and decompress, reminding yourself that although your work is indeed important, it does not ultimately define you. When tempted to gripe, sulk, and gossip, instead focus your mind on those things that uplift and sustain you – your faith, your loved ones, your extracurricular passions, etc. And rather than belittling yourself in the mirror, think of how you can utilize your strengths for the benefit of those around you.
Keep things in order
Now, to be fair, I know that everybody is different when it comes to organizational preferences. If you’re “Type A,” for instance, you may insist on having everything impeccably arranged, categorized, and color-coded. But if you’re “Type B,” you may thrive amid managed chaos. Whatever your style, make sure that you have some kind of system in place that will prevent you from having to scramble to find things every minute of the day. Nothing quite exacerbates one’s stress like losing track of important items in a pile of mess. This applies to your physical filing, of course, but it’s also essential in how you store things on your devices. Devising a clear organization scheme will maximize your productivity as well as the quality of your output.
High expectations don’t have to feel burdensome. If managed well, they can provide you with the stimulus that you need to do exceptional work. Consider the pointers above as you strive to use high expectations as fuel for future success!
