After publishing a blog post on the benefits of
remaining calm at work, the next logical step is to share some strategies on
how to actually do it. The following tips I’ve pulled together from articles,
my own experience and my observations of others. Enjoy!
Tips on remaining calm
at work:
1. Aim to remain calm
Perhaps the most important step in remaining calm in any
situation is to make a conscious decision to try and do it. Setting a goal
means that you’re more likely to monitor your emotions and take steps to
control them.
2. Keep work in perspective
When you are facing pressure at work, take a moment to put
the situation in perspective. How important is this task in relation to the
other aspect of your life? If you were to fail at this task, miss a deadline,
what are the consequences? Bear in mind that you’re likely to be supported by
your colleagues and your boss if you’ve had other successes at work. Lastly, be
sure to remember that it’s only work!
3. Consciously control your emotions
During one of the training sessions at work, we learned
about the concept of an emotional “pause button”. We were taught that it’s each
one of us who is in control of our reactions and even our emotions.
We were asked to visualize our partner returning home late
from work, for the third time this
week, when s/he knew we had a dinner
party planned. We were then told to pause and visualize that our partner hasn’t
been delayed at work, but has actually been involved in a car accident.
Obviously the emotional responses between your partner being
delayed at work and being involved in an accident are very different. The point
of course, is that we each have the ability to pause and even control our emotional
responses. The next time you feel yourself becoming stressed or agitated, choose
to pause and remain calm.
4. Exercise
The connection between exercise and stress relief is well documented.
5. Stretch
I have found that regular stretching relaxes the body and
the mind.
6. Breathe deeply
7. Meditate
I’ve mentioned meditating in relation to generating creative ideas, but it’s also been shown to reduce stress.
8. Ask an expert for advice
If you know someone at your work that has an amazing ability
to remain calm in any situation, ask them how they are able to achieve it. Chances
are good that they’ll b able to expand on my list above.