Stress vs. Pressure

July 31, 2007 · Posted in Choices, Self-help, Time Management

We have all felt it, the constant dread of anxiety. Stress or stress-related activities can consume us mentally as well as tax our physical condition. Stress has been linked to:

high blood pressure
heart disease and stroke
mental and emotional dysfunction
family and relational issues

What can we do to deal with these situations? There are some who advocate a meditative approach, but sometimes our stressful times and activities can be met head on – if we have planned for these situations.

Often, we have the answer to these stressful situations. For instance, if we are stressed about our financial position (behind on bills, no savings, losing job, etc.), then we must ask ourselves if this is a “self-imposed”situation.

In other words, did you create this problem? If you created the problem, you can create a solution.

Meet with your creditors. (I have a background as both a lending officer and as a collection agent – most financial institutions would rather “work out” a suitable contingency program than take legal action. The key is to create a plan that is workable and then commit to fulfilling your end of the bargain.)
Set up a plan that will help you get your bills up to date.
Once you have a plan, stick to it.
If you have no savings, set up a plan for how you can start a savings plan. Begin with small, regular deposits and increase the amounts as you have the means, but set a specified minimum amount and never allow yourself to miss it.

Do you see a theme? The best remedy for stress is preparation. Simply stated, we are most often stressed by the things for which we have not prepared.

Do you remember being called on in school to answer a question? Your stress level was much lower if you knew the answer. This required study – preparation.
Have you ever been asked to speak in public? As your degree of preparation rises, your level of stress decreases.

Perhaps you are stressed because you don’t have enough time to do everything that needs to be done. This stress is not caused by the totality of what we need to accomplish but because of our lack of efficient time management.

Here are some things we can do:

Have a plan. Write things down. Simply by putting pencil to paper, you have put yourself in the top 10% of productive people. Make a list at the start of each day of what you need to accomplish, would like to accomplish, and must accomplish.
Prioritize the list. Start with the highest priority and work through the list.
Focus on your list. You will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment each time you can check off one of your “to do” items.
Practice this daily, not just when you get behind. It all boils down to repetition. Repetition leads to confidence.

Confidence is the difference between pressure and stress. Pressure makes you more focused and more motivated because you are confident. You are confident because you have prepared.

Stress causes anxiety and fear of failure most often because you have not taken the necessary steps to ensure your preparedness.

Expect to be successful because you have built your confidence through preparation and repetition.

Tags: stress, stress+vs.+pressure, preparedness, preparation