Achieve More, Stress-Free
Stress-related absence is increasing and current climates aren't helping.
In 2007 it cost UK industry more than £530 million. Absence of any origin is expensive and disruptive but stress can not only itself be complex to manage and overcome but can cause long-term illnesses which cause further distress and absence.
This unique and humorous 60-minute presentation highlights the warning signs and dangers of stress and provides advice on how to avoid it completely, what to do if you find yourself stressed and how to turn it into something positive...
- Look after yourself. If you feel crap, those you interact with will feel crap, too. We've all heard the unenthusiastic sales person on the 'phone or seen the bored receptionist; it has a negative impact on your sales and your service which ultimately makes you feel more stressed.
- Get help. There might be no problems at work but if things at home are awful, this will manifest itself at work. We're only human and simply cannot take on everything so take time off work to sort things out, go on holiday, go away for a relaxing weekend - manage stress before it begins to manage you.
- Take 30 minutes out every single day to do something for you: walk the dog, read a book, go for a swim; it doesn't matter what it is but it should be something you enjoy doing, during which time you can switch off and totally absorb in it.
- Do you have 'working lunches'; juggling a sandwich, emails, 'phone etc? If so, that stops now. You have to give your mind time to relax. My guarantee to you is that you'll feel more refreshed, energised and ready to go if you take the time to have a proper break for your lunch.
- Your organisation is all about you - you are the most important asset and service, of any kind starts with you. The brand is just that; it's a framework, a corporate identity. Without you, it wouldn't function but humans are very poor at recognising how capable and worthy we actually are. So remember that you are 1000 times more important than you think you are.
- If you work at the weekends but aren't required to (and by that I mean the office is shut and you just can't help yourself) - stop. Mow the lawn, read a book, play with your children, go to the gym - anything but work. My promise to you is this: when you go into work on Monday morning, you'll feel energised, relaxed and ready to go, sharper than you normally do.
- It's important to recognise the signs of stress which include irritability, a loss of appetite, butterflies, tearfulness and insomnia. You may not recognise these in yourself so take note if someone points them out to you as stress tends to build gradually.
- Humans aren't particularly good at embracing change; the innate fear of failure we have takes over as change often means the unknown. Stress is not a natural human emotion and as such we're not built to deal with it so it's critically important that you change and manage it.
- If you have to use "I'm too busy' as an excuse, it's probably because of a diary that could be managed better. Everyone has 7 days in their week and needs 8 hours sleep so there's really no excuse. As soon as you feel yourself getting stressed, take control.
- Do you have papers scattered all over your office and at a desk that is uninspiring? Make sure you have a plant or two, photos of things that make you feel good, plenty of light and clear your desk so that papers are filed. If you clutter your desk, you clutter your mind.