Ravaged by over two years of Covid variant scares, isolation orders, mask mandates, and uncertainty, the world seems almost less human today. These perpetual ambient pressures add to the stress of the workplace, especially with many of us still not entirely comfortable with remote work.
It is a tragedy that we accept excessive stress as a natural part of our professional lives. The long-term consequences of stress include depression, immune deficiency, insomnia, premature aging, weight loss or weight gain (always the opposite of which we prefer), and even suicidal thoughts. No one should subject themselves – and their loved ones – to this.
The Fight Within
You are best equipped to recognize the signs of stress in yourself. Look out for these common giveaways of impending burnout:
- Increased fatigue
- Reduced focus and concentration
- Mood swings, especially angry outbursts
- Weight loss or gain
- Increased alcohol or drug intake
A significant part of this pressure can be self-induced, the foremost of these being the stress to perform. There is always the next promotion, the next big client, the next major account, the next breakthrough project to chase. Take a step back and assess whether that is what is currently happening.
This may be a good time to give colleagues a leg up. Don’t recoil at the suggestion – it may be counterintuitive to the rat race mentality but that mindset is exactly why you are so stressed. A collaborative workplace counters so much of the toxicity and negativity that a corporate career can induce.
It is also an investment in your own future. Gratitude is one of the most powerful assets you can have in your networking repertoire.
I also strongly suggest that you take a break from social media. We somehow convince ourselves that the carefully orchestrated scenes and retouched photos on display resemble the real lives of the people in them. They do not. You cannot live up to fantastic creations so avoid the temptation to do so by shutting the door on these purveyors of materialism and consumerism.
Lastly, connect with your work. Look at the positive change that you foster through what you do. If you feel you can do more meaningful things in another role, ask for a parallel transfer to begin fomenting the change that you want to see.
Fighting as a Team
As leaders in this stressful environment, we have to step up to the mental needs of those around us. Here are some ways that you can do this without stepping on toes or overreaching.
- Communicate – Speak to the people on your team about how they are feeling and coping. Don’t assume that those who seem okay are okay; some are just better at hiding it while the squeaky wheels get the grease.
- Balance workloads – Allocating the same workload to different colleagues may seem fair on the surface but it may not be in practice. We each juggle responsibilities differently; it is okay to ease the stress on a less resilient team member. However, be careful about promoting people above their responsibility threshold.
- Adapt timelines – So much of stress centers on just meeting deadlines and adhering to schedules. Does it really have a major impact on the end result? When it does not, perhaps a negotiable timetable should be on the cards.
If you find yourself on the brink of burnout, reach out to me today to discuss how I can help you prevent this all too common obstacle.
