Successfully Managing Work Stress

It is normal to experience some workplace stress every now and then. This is especially true during periods when things are particularly busy or when various deadlines loom.

According to consulting firm Korn Kerry, employee stress levels are on the rise, climbing nearly 20% over the past three decades. A variety of reasons for this rise in stress include everything from technology changes to increased workloads, conflicts at the workplace, and the greatest source of workplace stress: difficult managers.

In fact, the problem has gotten so bad that 76% of employees say that job-related stress has negatively impacted their personal life. It has impacted their relationships, 66% experienced sleep loss and half of the employees say that their health have been affected adversely.

If your stress level at work seems to be going nowhere but up, it's time to get ahead of the problem before it impacts not only your performance, but your personal life. Here are a few ways to start.

1. Daily Organization If like so many workers who fall victim to stress because they are constantly pulled in a multitude of different directions, you can escape this by spending the first few minutes of each workday getting organized. Look at your calendar to see what your appountment or meeting schedule is like and set your priorities for each day so you know which tasks to tackle first. This will enable you to make the best use of your time. Organizing daily will be an important step in taking one source of work anxiety off your list.

2. Keep Your Skills Current With the age of automation impacting all aspects of life, many workers fear that they'll be replaced and become obsolete. Others find themselves struggling to keep pace with new technology as it takes hold of our lives. If you find either scenario applicable, the best that you can do for yourself is work on educating yourself to keep your skills up-to-date. You can do this by taking courses, learning new software or renewing the certifications you hold. The greater the effort you make, the less you'll have to worry about losing your job to a robot or falling behind your co-workers..

3. Utilize Your Support System Having a strong support system at your place of employment can lower your daily stress. Building relationships with your co-workers is important because the more you know each other and work well together, the more you can supported each other through those difficult times.

4. Allow Yourself To Take Breaks Stress can rapidly build up as you are busy working away at your desk without as much as a minute to catch your breath. Taking breaks during your work day, can really help ease some of the tension that you might be experiencing. Scheduling a mid afternoon walk as a recurring break on your calendar could greatly help change your outlook for the better. Don't forget to take time out for a nourishing meal also, but be careful not to eat a heavy meal which could leave you sluggish.

5. Find A Quiet Room To Avoid Distractions Whether it's the constant dinging of your email, your ringing phone, or the coworkers who can't seem to tear themselves away from your desk, the more on-the-job distractions you're subjected to, the less productive you're apt to be. Rather than let those interruptions detract from your efforts to get your work done, eliminate them periodically as your schedule and office environment allows.

For example, if your office has private conference rooms, and you're able to book one for two hours a week, use that time as an opportunity to do some disturbance-free work. Don't tell your colleagues what room you'll be working from, and take only your laptop if possible, so that your cellphone doesn't distract you from what you're trying to accomplish. Once you're set up in your private room, unplug the phone if there's a landline in there or turn off its ringer. And then use that time to hammer out the tasks that require the most concentration.

If your office doesn't offer the option to occasionally hide out in a conference room, try asking your manager to work from home once a week to achieve a similar goal. If you can prove that this flexibility makes you more productive, chances are, it's a privilege you'll be allowed to uphold.

6. Strategically Schedule Your Meetings According to The Muse, there's perhaps no greater productivity zapper than meetings, accounting for a good 35% of middle managers time spent. For upper management that time climbs to 50%. But if you're smart about scheduling meetings, you'll carve out more time for actual work and spend less time wasting away in conference rooms.

To start, be more selective about the meetings you agree to attend. Unless your presence is absolutely required, learn to say no if you have pressing obligations that make for a better use of your time.

Scheduling multiple meetings back to back with small breaks in between will get them done in one fell swoop, leaving longer blocks of time for other work. Or even better, designate one day a week as "meeting day." This will leave the other four days open for you to work on important things.

7. Get Plenty Of Sleep This is perhaps the easiest to fix, of all the reasons given for work-related stress. The majority of American workers don't get enough sleep on a regular basis, and when you show up to work groggy and exhausted, it can cause your stress levels to skyrocket. The solution? Make more time for sleep in your schedule. Cancel social plans if doing so enables you to go to bed earlier, and ignore your work emails if they tend to keep you up late at night. Taking care of yourself physically will go a long way in helping you avoid stress in the first place.

8. Begin Your Day With The Least Favorite Task All of us have work tasks that we enjoy and those that we dread and put off indefinitely if we could. But rather than push off the dreaded task until the last possible minute, make it the first thing you tackle at the start of your workday. This way, you'll have more mental energy to attack that thing that you detest doing, as opposed to eight hours later, when your mind is already clocked out for the day. Once you're able to check that loathsome task off your list, you'll be able to approach the rest of your day with a clearer head and a more positive disposition.

Final Thoughts

Workplace stress is sometimes unavoidable, but you can keep yours to a minimum by taking the above steps. Feeling productive is essential to your work-related happiness. And that, in turn, could have a positive impact on not just your job but your life as a whole. And who knows? If all goes really well, you might even land a promotion by stepping up your game.

Follow Me For Weekly Informative Articles Patrick Coppedge

So I signed a application to work on captin d they said they would get back with me but never did i get any notifications so IDK WHAT TO DO

The most important thing is to remain calm and see it as an opportunity to reflect,change and improve

Let's take a look at how you can bounce back gracefully after getting fired

DEAL WITH THE SHOCK OF GETTING FIRED To lose your job is to lose your identity as a worker and as a person - most of us define ourselves by our job titles, and since work is where we spend majority of our time and energy.

Being laid off can be a slap to our sense of self-worth- it implies that you are not good enough. It's no wonder you feel confused and emotional. I've been there.

And from experience, first you have to digest what happened and deal with the overflow of sensations. People who recover quickly from the pain losing a job tend to do 2 things well:

First - They accept their feelings of sadness, anger and shame as part of the healing process. Second - They do their complaining to a friend

STAY AWAY FROM DRAMA QUEENS Mass layoffs are unfortunately very common. If this is your situation, then you may be surrounded by a lot of people who say " It's not fair!". After everything we've done! We don't deserve this! We're going to sue!

Yeah, you lost your job, that's tough. But please, I urge you to stay away from the negativity. Positivity is the only and most important attitude to have right now. Life is not harder for you than it is for other people on this planet. You live in a democracy, you have freedom of choice and you enjoy a certain material of abundance.

So staying positive and focused on what's going well in your life and the excitement about future opportunities that are available to you. Getting laid off or fired is a temporary setback. Staying positive can be challenging - so

TAKE A BREAK AND LET THE DUST SETTLE Instead of running straight into another job that may not be the right one either. Take a short break from the job loss. Take the break to be attentive to yourself for self care. Everything goes fast these days that we often do not stop to think or give ourselves the permission to nurture ourselves.

BE ANCHORED IN THE PRESENT Since you no longer have a holdon the past but you have not yet designed your future. Try to build yourself up with the present. What do I mean by that? I mean right now is the time you only have any control over. Focus on that instead of losing yourself in memories or reliving that awful day you got fired over and over in your head.

UNDERSTAND the WHY There are a lot of reasons why people get fired. Sometimes the mistake is yours - and it's embarrassing. Other times, it's not your fault. Business change direction all the time. Either way, to give the situation some closure, you need to understand WHY. Be honest with yourself. It's not easy to admit you might have dropped the ball but it's the best way to turn the situation into a learning experience. Ask yourself:

• What skills do I need to improve on?
• Is there training you can access or learning you can do?
• In the end, did this job sit you that much? Were you happy there?

Reflecting on these questions can help put things into perspective. What lessons you have learn to avoid repeating the same patterns in your next job?

FIND OUT IF YOU WERE THE RIGHT FIT? Hiring decisions come down to personality. You can study for an interview all you like, but every candidate who is chosen for the interview has the right credentials for the job. So that's what I mean when the final decision boils down to personality. Who does the recruiter likes best? Who is the better fit for the company.

Now firing decisions are based on personality too. Slacking off and playing fast and losee with the company rules. All of these reasons are down to one thing in common: Personality.

REDISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS AND TALENTS A personality test can give you insight on your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and work potential. Do you have leadership qualities? How do you communicate and manager conflict. What benefits do you add to an organization? When you become aware of your potential, you will have the confidence to search and find the work you love.

GET THE WORD OUT Getting a new job is tough but it helps to have a clear idea of the direction you want o go. Look around for inspiration, talk to recruiters. Use available resources at your disposal : job search agencies, headhunters, coaches, career websites, and so on. These resources can help you match your qualifications to the job requirements.

ANTICIPATE QUESTIONS AND KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THEM Even if it wasn't your fault - getting fired can hurt you if you don't know how to explain why you were let go. You have to be honest and tell recruiters the truth. The best approach is to take responsibility and show that you want to go forward and that you understand the lesson.

ADAPT AND PERSIST Throughout this journey we call life, you will inevitably go through moments of self doubt and disappointment. There are undulations in every road and these are normal steps to regaining self confidence after getting fired. Stay tough - don't conclude your future is hopeless just because a dream job doesn't land right away. You open a positive path when you maintain focus. Have the confidence and faith that the job for you is out there. And remember, you are NOT alone. Many people, including myself have walked this road and I urge you to keep the momentum. Stay open minded- and go where the opportunities take you. It will bring you closer to the job you really want.

COMING OUT ON TOP Getting fired isn't the ideal situation, but it's not the end of the world either. Even if it feels like it. You will get through it and emerge happier on the other side.

Be clear on what you want, have courage and believe in yourself. In the end, you may decide that getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to you. It can be the catalyst for a powerful, career-fulfilling change!!

What advice would you give someone who has little experience in their field, severe anxiety, and had minimal job experience on what to articulate in an interview?

Everyone has had a job they didn't like at least once or twice. If you ask 10 people if they like their job, more than half would say they didn't. So I ask, if you don't like your job, how can you work and do it well? We all need money and in order to get it, this means we are doing something we don't like doing and therefore are unhappy.

Some people can afford to quit their jobs, I know I've done it. I was unhappy with my boss who was screwing me around with my hours. He made me felt like he didn't value my time or myself as an employee. So I quit, used my money in savings to get by a couple of months and found something else.

So what if you are one of the majority of people who need work? Day after day, often doing something you don't love doing? You can't afford to quit, and you may not even know what you want to do and what will really make you happy and satisfied.

If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few thing you can do to bring happiness and satisfaction into your life.

You can decide to excel in your job and do everything to get promoted. (Focusing on your mind in your job in this way can make it easier to bear it, and who knows, you might start liking it)

Wake up early and meditate or exercise for 20-30 minutes before heading to work

You continue working but at the same time, find time to learn a new skill.

Read inspiring quotes that will keep you inspired and make you feel better about your workday.

Find something you love doing in your free time. This will be the highlight of your day and something to look forward to.

If you can take breaks at work - exercise or take a walk.

Try to do the same work in a different way - if possible, change your routine.

If you really want to change your life, continue working but use creative visualization and affirmations. I have found that these are great mental tools that can change your life.

Learn to change your attitude toward your work and toward the people who work with you. This isn't easy but if you make the decision, you will eventually get results. Resentment and unhappiness hurts your health and is unnecessary. With a change of attitude, you will feel better and stop hating or resenting your job.

These are just a few things I've done and that you can do when you don't like your job. I hope they help you, or at least open your mind to other ways or things that you can do.

When we're faced with certain pressure-cooker situations, it's easy to allow our emotions to take control. Fear and anger can overwhelm even in the most strong-minded and tough people. Applying and interviewing for jobs is a highly stressful event. You get excited about the prospect of getting a great new role with higher pay or has potential for career advancement. So you end up in your mind thinking about all of the amazing possibilities where this job could lead in the future. Only to be accompanied by the elation of the impending dread of failure and anxiety about the logistics of the interview process such as:

What if it doesn't work out? I'm worried that they won't like me I hope I don't embarrass and make a fool out of myself What if I freeze up in the interview How can I make sure my current boss doesn't find out What should I wear that won't call attention to me at work?

In order to manage and harness these feelings to thrive and succeed in the interview. You need to work on handling your emotions and stop the pressure, stress and anxiety to fester, grow and eventually swallow you whole where it will be impossible to succeed.

People who are successful manage their emotions well to excel in the interview process and eventually nail the job offer.

Your confident level grows as you learn more about the company, it's culture, the people who you'll be meeting with. You will become more comfortable as you understand what the job requirements are, and how you will present yourself.

Before an interview, it goes without saying, invest in yourself Take time to spend amount of energy and time to prepare. Put aside non-essential tasks and focus on learning as much as you can about the company, the people that you will be interviewing with.

LinkedIn offers profiles of the interviewers or you can Google, look them up on social media. The simple act of devoting time will invigorate you with confidence that will help displace your fears and worries.

Days before an interview - Rationalize what is the upside and downside of an interview. If you're currently working, then the worst thing that can happen is you can return to your office and try another opportunity. The risk vs reward is clearly in your favor. Think in terms of having nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Pay close attention to your body language - Try walking around with your shoulders back, head held high with a confident stride. When you see someone crossing your path, look them straight in the eye and nod "hello" with a smile. I guarantee you that you will feel strong and confident. Use that in an interview. Make your body language reflect confidence and authority.

I know I'm making it sound so easy. I empathize how hard it can be for some people to keep their emotions in check. View this post as a starting point to build upon. The more you work on it, the more you'll become comfortable, confident and capable of fighting back the feelings of worry, stress, fear and anxiety.

Right now I have so many applications out and nobody has called me or emailed me for a interview I have 3 kids I have to take care of I have bills to pay and can’t do none of that without no job I am worthless what else do I need to do besides work harder and have more faith in myself hoping and praying that something comes through soon I just can’t deal with my life like this

I'm Gothic and have bad anxiety. I just want a job where I can do my thing without being scared.

When dealing with the stress of unemployment or any personal issue it takes a mental balancing act to gracefully transcend.

               Wish fulfilled vs Time used to create the issue.

What I mean is we must lock ourselves mentally in the thoughts and emotions of the desired goal already being fulfilled. Of course that is manifesting 101 and detailed by most spiritual and motivational speakers as well as stated in most ancient text as the method of communicating with the source energy of creation.

The balancing comes with the understanding it took time to create the life you are living in this moment and will also take time to get out.

Here is a story to make this visual and as simple as it really is.You walked for 10 minutes into a forest only to realize you came to a huge hole and road block and now must turn around. In this situation you could expect to walk at least 10 minutes to get out of the forest right?

I'm not saying it will take forever for you to reach your next promise land. I'm saying an understanding that...

        "A problem caused over time will also resolve over time..." 

can be a perspective that empowers you to increased action and less stress.

As an action step today, when you feel like you are stuck in the middle of the ocean or desert think about the goal from the perspective it already happen.

Now, It can be a challenge to think about not having the issue that plagues us today. If this is you go ahead and talk about the problems but only as a memory. A great statement to start is.. "I remember when.."
This avoids a fight with the now looming thoughts and allows you to get out of their grasp. Respond to all unwanted thought with things like...

"I remember when I had little income" . "I remember when I didn't have a job".

-To being the hero of your story!

I feel lost of direction I’ve been doing production work for years now I’m at my breaking point it don’t excite me nomore I want a career with the job not thinking it’s just a job