The Anatomy of Stress, Part 2

Dr. Shaffer also maintains that you should examine your personality style and attitude at work.  Are you active or passive? Do you delegate assignments or feel you must have your fingers in everything?

If you don’t like what you see, try changing your management approach to improve your efficiency and attitude toward work.  This might require some assistance from an efficiency expert or a psychotherapist, Dr. Shaffer notes.

Learn to recognize that not all of your work demands equal quality.  Before beginning each task, determine which quality standards are necessary over those that might be desired.  You’ll know how your own quality standards either interfere with or facilitate your work flow.

These suggestions can help you reduce existing problems.  However, it is also possible to prevent others before they actually occur, Dr. Shaffer emphasizes.

Your own positive work atmosphere can be contagious, thereby enabling you and your colleagues to share more pleasurable and enjoyable interactions.

This can be achieved by giving immediate and concrete feedback to your employees.  When they do a good job, say so.  And be specific – “that report was well organized” – instead of “nice job.”

Encourage your workers to perform well.  “Tell, but don’t dwell” on failure or poor performance, Dr. Shaffer says.  You’ll soon see real behavioral changes through feedback as employee self-esteem increases.

In addition, “if you want your employees or co-workers to be on your side, be on their side first,” he writes.  “Recognize their strengths and tell them specifically what you recognize and value in them.”  This technique indicates that you understand and respect their perspectives.

Dr. Shaffer adds that to be stress-resilient, you must embrace life with a real will to live.  Develop an optimistic attitude and view yourself as the master of your fate.

Look at alternatives to troublesome situations and view stressful changes as opportunities for growth and challenge.