In these tough economic times stress is magnified for most of workforce members. Given the chance, outside stressors can follow our team members to work every day. They can even plague us and crop up all day, every day, as small business owners. If you can, it’s best to check them at the door. Contrary to popular belief, as a small business owner or entrepreneur you play a large role in reducing workplace stress. Reducing stress during your workday will allow you and your team to have better time management and drive productivity. Let’s brainstorm for a few minutes.
#1. Stay focused; do not duel on insignificant items. You will simply lose perspective. Short the small stuff out by focusing on the bigger picture. Practice ways that will defuse and improve any possible situation that comes bearing anxiety. Exercise the ability to say “Next” and move on. Anxieties tap a lot of your energy leaving you both physically and mentally drained.
#2. Shake off criticism like a wet dog! If you are like most of us, you probably face criticism coming at you from many directions. You probably don’t deserve it (of course!), but either way, it’s likely to be a blow to your self-esteem. Again, through practice, you may come to a point where you can ask yourself, simply, if you have done your best. If yes, then take it objectively as a chance to move your performance to a higher level. Your productivity should not be sidelined by hurt feelings and wounded ego. Work to be bigger than that.
#3. Don’t be malcontent, no matter what. Maybe you are one of the few with their dream job. Or maybe you’re someone who hates theirs. It’s very likely, however, that you fall somewhere in the middle. And every day on every job is different. Enthusiasm will create a much more pleasant day for you and those sharing your workday. No room for gloom here. An insider’s tip: help your coworkers as much as you can; it will make their day better and yours as well. And it will increase productivity for everyone. Please, do not expect gratitude at all times, though. Condition yourself to be able to continue your high-quality support and initiative even when the thank you’s are much less frequent than expected. Do the right thing without expecting anything in return.
Do your best to plan your day; that’s a good start. For all the times you’re going to be thrown into situations where you have no control, remember that you can choose your emotional response. You can choose to cooperate with the outcome. Stress is one of the biggest reasons behind poor time management and compromised productivity, so it’s well worth practicing a few creative stress-busting solutions BEFORE you’re faced with the problem.
Donna Marie Thompson, PhD
Creating your best profit is my highest priority.
http://www.ExpertProfitSolutions.com
PS: For more information please click here and get my free Special Report: “3 Profit Pitfalls and How To Avoid Them.”
PSS: Go to http://www.officetime.net for a no-cost 21-day trial of the desktop version of OfficeTime or for the free version of their App. You cannot measure productivity until you know the value of an hour!