Stress in the Background 5-Part Mini-Course Part 2
Stress-Busting Lesson #2 The problem with all this stress is that eventually, it gets the better of us. Even a normally calm, cool, and collected person can be overwhelmed when the pile of "to-do's" or interruptions gets too high for his or her comfort level. It can happen in an instant. One moment you're handling it; the next moment you're not. At least it looks like an instant. Reality check time. If you snap in an instant, you've probably been "managing" your stress for way too long already. Guess what? That strategy isn't working. You've taken the most challenging step already. You've chosen to address your stress. From here on, it's smooth sailing. Next, you've got to figure out where it's coming from! You may think you already know:
Surely it must be someone's fault!
It's really not about assigning fault, though. It's about finding a solution. Remember our premise that we're looking for something to influence in any stress-making situation. That influence, and the action behind it, is what takes you out of the role of the victim and puts you in control of your life.
You can influence your own choices and behavior. You have little control over anyone else's. Therefore, the best place to find a solution to this troubling dilemma is with you. Regardless of any other players, you are intimately involved in the situation. Whatever your involvement is, that is your area of influence. The trick is to get to the source of the conflict, which is almost always within your control, and make changes there. Stress-Busting Lesson #2: A conflict or misperception within you is often an important factor in the stressful reactions you experience. This is great news! Why? Because once you've identified it, you have the opportunity to choose a different view. |
Your job