Stress: When You Don't Act, You Terrorize Yourself

Please think on this:

In order to induce terror, you never have to commit the act.

It is the unresolved possibility of terror that keeps one--or the world--in a state of fear and stress.

So it is with daily stress, on and off the job. Whatever is unresolved becomes a stressor. Carried to the extreme, inaction causes us to, in effect, terrorize ourselves. And others.

Have you been putting off asking for or giving feedback at work?

• If you're a manager, you have thoughts about people's performance that you are carrying around. And they are building up.
• Your employees don't know how they're doing. And the first thing we humans do in the absence of truthful information is fantasize about it--negatively.
• Do something now. Feel the relief that follows.

What is reappearing on your to-do list that's giving you second thoughts about yourself?

• Do something now. Feel the relief that follows.

Who has been waiting for a decision from you?

• Do something now. Feel the relief that follows.

You and I have more control over our stress than we sometimes care to acknowledge. Why terrorize yourself when you can get relief by taking even one definitive action toward a tick mark on your checklist?

And each step you take brings an additional sense of relief.   

How about some resources?

For a simple yet elegant insight into what happens when we carry even the lightest burden for too long a time, visit  Carmine at Slow Leadership:Stress is Like a Glass of Water.

Email driving you crazy? Free Yourself From the Inbox!

Hassled about personal productivity and getting organized? Say hi to Mark Shead at  Productivity501.

Want to make sure that everything is just right for your next presentation? As a guy who has done the road show thing for a llooonngg time, Pamela Slim's Compulsive Obsession With Details... will keep you a lot more relaxed than the title.

 

Comments

[Mike Wagner]

Steve, you've had a great series of post in recent days - I just haven't had time to sit down and write many comments.

But when I read, "if you're a manager, you have thoughts about people's performance that you are carrying around." I had to acknowledge you're living in the head of nearly every leader I meet with that observation!

So, what is the "do something" you recommend when a manager has been stuffing thoughts about someone's performance?

I know what the negative thing looks like - I've seen plenty unload in a less than healthy manner.

Always a read that boost my wisdom at All Things Workplace. Thanks for sharing your experience and insight.

Keep creating,
Mike

[Steve Roesler]

Hi, Mike,

I think you've given me the impetus for the next post!

But then again, you do that whenever you stop by.

Thanks, as always, for the meaningful visit...

[Turtle King]

Your column above is very good, but you forget how many bad companies are out there with poor managers that cause more stress on their employees then the employees could ever place on themselves. I am a Director at a company and the guys above me have no interest in providing feedback, even when asked for it. I would be interested in reading your thoughts on stress on the high performer due to the inability of management to realize the mindset of the high performer. As a high performer I have saved me company over a million dollars over the past 2 years, and exceeded expectations, only to get very little in returns (reward, promotion, etc). That is stressful!

Turtle King
http://turtlesatwork.blogspot.com