Written by: Diane Bolden, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It happens to all of us – sometimes sporadically, sometimes far too frequently. At work, things are revving up. Pressure is mounting. Deadlines are looming. There is more to do than time to do it. And the stress is getting to you. How do you survive tough times at work (and come out the other side without feeling chewed up and spit out)?
Surviving tough times at work is a lot like braving intense heat. I recently had firsthand experience with that…
After a nice, relaxing vacation on the cool, foggy coast of northern California, we returned to a record-breaking heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona. Eager to get back to my fitness regimen, I bounded out of the house for my usual morning run to find that the temperature was already in the triple digits.
I was stubborn and insistent on pursuing my goal despite what any logical, sane human being would have done in my place. Flash forward forty minutes later and I was only a shell of my former self, drenched in sweat and struggling to form complete sentences.
I’ll be the first to admit that my (idiotic) choice to go for a run was mine alone. Braving sudden, intense heat at work may not be something you have any say in. That said, the question worth pondering is – once you’re in the thick of it, how do you endure (without losing your mind, and other vital parts of yourself)?
After I recovered from my ill-fated run and engaged in some reflection, a few insights softly landed. I realized they are as applicable to being thrust into extended periods of crazy chaotic stress and pressure as they are to being outside at the height of a record-breaking heat wave…
Three tips on how to survive tough times at work
Focus your attention on things that give you energy and optimism.
Notice what isn’t working anymore and replace it with something that does.
Find ways to take better care of yourself (so you can still take care of other things).
Let’s take a closer look at each of these, starting with the first one…
1. Focus your attention on things that give you energy and optimism
What saved me on that crazy run were the brief stretches of shade I encountered along the way. They gave me the reprieve I needed to continue to brave the direct sun. And the blazing sun itself allowed me to better appreciate the moments of relief. I realized the same is true in work and life.
Those extended times of crazy intensity that erupt at work illuminate how wonderful it is to have moments of peace – even if they are fleeting. But even in moments of reprieve, we are all too often fixated on the task at hand or the obstacles that are keeping us from accomplishing it to even notice.
Instead, we often stay focused on the heat – the rising pressure and stress, competing priorities, and our diminishing patience. The problem with focusing on the heat is you’ll become the heat. You’ll continue to give your attention to things that make you hot. The things that are going wrong or seem hopeless. The barriers you keep running into. All that is lacking… time, resources, freedom, authority, bandwidth, etc.
That’ll make you frustrated, overwhelmed, frazzled, depleted. And from that state, your performance will take a hit.
Instead, you can focus your attention on things that bring you up instead of down (there’s always something if you look hard enough). It could be coworkers whose company you enjoy, certain aspects of the work that are rewarding, or moments of gratitude for something in your life.
What are the bright spots that give you peace, levity, and even humor? Can you find a way to linger in them even just for a few moments – or perhaps find a way to create more of them? As you allow yourself to experience and appreciate those things, you’ll become more like the shade: cool in the face of commotion, peaceful in the center of chaos, and a reprieve to yourself and others.
Imagine what that would be like... to brush off the little aggravations and annoyances and instead stay poised and unperturbed… to think on your feet without getting sucked into worry or anxiety or overthinking things… to approach problems with a cool, clear head that allows you to see possibilities amid the obstacles.
Imagine how much better of a leader you would be if you could become the shade that allows others to do that too.
It’s easy to overlook the little things that can potentially make tough times a little more bearable. Especially when you are locked and loaded on a goal. And when the pressure increases and the stakes get higher, you’re even more likely to miss them.
That leads to tip number two…
2. Notice what isn’t working anymore and replace it with something that does
Though I was aware that I could have lingered and rested awhile in the shady spots that felt so revitalizing, I didn’t give that thought a whole lot of credence. It also occurred to me that I could just keep running on the path that was shady rather than continue to the desolate stretch that lacked trees big enough to cast a shadow. But my ingrained habits (and stubborn insistence on doing things the way I always did) superseded wisdom that many would consider plain old common sense.
I was on autopilot, letting my usual routine supersede my ability to take stock of the environment and make necessary changes. Even after I returned from my run, jumping into the pool was like plunging into warm bath water, far from the refreshing experience it usually was.
We all have our routines and go to processes that run automatically without requiring any thought. But when the intensity rises, doing what you’ve always done may no longer work well (or at all). And that means doubling down on it (which is what most people do when things get extreme) will also not work very well.
Pausing long enough to become aware of your environment will allow you to identify what’s required to effectively rise to the challenges you’re faced with. From there, you can determine whether your usual approach is sufficient or if you need to change things up a bit. Additionally, you’ll better discern the things you have no control over from those you can do something about. Then you can redirect your time and energy to act in ways that move the needle.
Ask yourself, “What might I be doing that is more of an automatic response than a thoughtful approach to my emerging challenges?” Pay attention to what the impact of that response is and whether it’s getting you the desired results. Consider what adjustments you could make to best address the needs of the current situation.
As you evaluate your approaches to determine what the best course of action is, be vigilant to ensure that the return is greater than the cost. Particularly when it comes to your own health and sanity. This leads to the third tip…
3. Find ways to take better care of yourself (so you can still take care of other things)
Your biggest resource – and the only one you truly have any control over, is your very self. Your energy, your vitality, your ability to figure things out and stay in the game. Once those reserves have been depleted, you’ll be no good to anyone or anything.
And yet, most of us have been conditioned to push harder. We ignore the signs that we’re running low on fuel, keep our heads down, and just power through. We’re led to believe we don’t have time to slow down, that rest is for the weak, and that if we pause for a moment, we’ll fall so far behind there will be no catching up.
The irony is that when your reserves are depleted, you’ll get to the point where you’re spinning your wheels – expending a lot of energy and time but not really getting anywhere. Your thinking becomes hurried and muddied, your attention to detail wanes, and you don’t make the best decisions. Additionally, you may become irritable and impatient, which could lead you to act in ways that damage important relationships and have negative long-term ramifications.
My own experience was like shooting myself in the foot since one of the primary reasons I run is to clear my head, increase my energy, and get into a state where I can do my best work. But because I didn’t listen to my body’s signals or pace myself during that crazy heat wave, that run had the exact opposite effect.
You can avoid a complete meltdown and improve your performance if you take the time to slow down periodically. Studies have shown that chronic stress can negatively impact cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and decision-making. Taking time to relax and reduce stress can lead to better cognitive performance.
And it doesn’t mean you need to take a two-week vacation on a remote desert island to access it. Research suggests that even small breaks enhance performance and boost creativity and problem-solving skills. When the mind is given a chance to rest, it can make new connections and associations, leading to innovative ideas and solutions. Those insights will likely allow you to discern and better address what’s most important in a fraction of the time it would have otherwise taken.
Elite athletes know that rest and recovery are essential to their performance. Musicians and artists often experience periods of intense practice and creative output that are fueled by the rest necessary to find inspiration. Students who take breaks during study sessions tend to perform better academically. You too will benefit from stepping away periodically to recharge and return with a fresh perspective, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.
It’s as important to pay attention to your own health and well-being as it is to be aware of your environment. You’ll be better able to meet the emerging needs at work if you tend to your own needs first. And as a leader, when you take care of yourself, you’ll model the way for others to do the same, increasing the performance of the entire organization in a way that is sustainable.
What you can do right now…
Focus your attention on things that give you energy and optimism. Finding ways to enjoy and make the most enjoy the shade will allow you to stay cool and perform better in the heat.
Notice what isn’t working anymore and replace it with something that does. Breaking out of autopilot to assess your environment will allow you to better address emerging challenges and opportunities.
Find ways to take better care of yourself (so you can still take care of other things). Slowing down and taking small breaks will allow you to speed up and tackle the most essential priorities in the most effective and efficient way.
We will all have to endure periods of intense heat in one way or another, at work and at home. Applying the three tips on how to survive tough times at work will allow you to not only increase your resilience but also build confidence, strength, and ingenuity that will serve you in the less intense times too – in all areas of your life.
For more on how to survive tough times at work and accessing your best performance, check out The Pinocchio Principle Unleashed, a 13-week leadership development program designed to help high-achieving professionals outwit stress, pressure, and overwhelm both on and off the job. Public sessions are offered in spring and fall, and the program is also available to bring in-house.
Diane Bolden, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Diane Bolden is an executive coach, speaker, author and organization development professional with more than 25 years of experience in leadership development, coaching and consulting, Diane has worked with managers, directors, officers and boards in Fortune 100 and 500 companies and nonprofit organizations to achieve higher levels of performance and success by helping them bring out the best in themselves and everyone around them. Her book, the Pinocchio Principle: Becoming a Real Leader - How to Unleash Genius in Yourself and Those You Lead, was published in 2011. Diane has a Masters in Business Administration and is a Certified Corporate Coach. She is CEO of Synchronistics Coaching & Consulting.
