Time and Stress Management
To play the role of a leader can prove to be stressful. Studies in management have also suggested that the roles of leaders include a wide combination of activities, and most of these activities cannot be predicted or controlled.
New supervisors and managers - especially supervisors - are overcome with the job's demands. These supervisors were promoted to take charge of people, because they have succeeded in the previous role that focused mainly on advancing a particular service or product. The supervisors were faced with taking charge, and this is less predictable and also has less control compared to before. As a result, being able to manage stress and time is critical if the leader and manager are to succeed in their roles.
Stress management and time management are addressed together, because they are very closely interrelated.
Myths about Time and Stress Management
- Stress is bad. Not really. People have to realize that you get bad stress and good stress. An example of good stress is thrills, excitement, and so on. The ultimate goal is for you to recognize signs of bad stress and find a way to deal with it.
- Planning time takes time. The opposite is correct.
- More is done in time when sugar, nicotine, caffeine or alcohol is taken. Wrong! The body must come down, so when this happens you won't always be effective compared to having a boost.
- The time management issue simply means that you do not have ample time to get the things you need done. No. It is not using your time to the fullest advantage.
- The busier you seem to be; the better you are spending your time. Be aware! You might only be concentrating on what is demanding and not what is important.
- You feel very busy, so this must mean that you are experiencing some kind of time management problem. You have to know what really needs to get done and if it is getting it done.
- You feel fine, so you are not really stressing. The truth is, sometimes people have no clue that they are stressing. Sooner or later, their bodies will tell them. There are always warning signs, for example, still backs, headaches and muscle twitches and so on.
- Stress is bad. Not really. People have to realize that you get bad stress and good stress. An example of good stress is thrills, excitement, and so on. The ultimate goal is for you to recognize signs of bad stress and find a way to deal with it.
- Planning time takes time. The opposite is correct.
- More is done in time when sugar, nicotine, caffeine or alcohol is taken. Wrong! The body must come down, so when this happens you won't always be effective compared to having a boost.
- The time management issue simply means that you do not have ample time to get the things you need done. No. It is not using your time to the fullest advantage.
- The busier you seem to be; the better you are spending your time. Be aware! You might only be concentrating on what is demanding and not what is important.
- You feel very busy, so this must mean that you are experiencing some kind of time management problem. You have to know what really needs to get done and if it is getting it done.
- You feel fine, so you are not really stressing. The truth is, sometimes people have no clue that they are stressing. Sooner or later, their bodies will tell them. There are always warning signs, for example, still backs, headaches and muscle twitches and so on.
Stress Causes in the Workplace
- Poor planning - not knowing if you are getting what you are after.
- That simple feeling that you have lots to do. You can experience this even though there is nothing to do.
- Lack of interest in your job - lots of things can cause this, for example, you have no idea what you really want, not sleeping properly, not eating and so on.
- Demands that bring conflict to your job.
- Not enough resources to get the job done.
- No feeling of appreciation.
The Symptoms of Poor Time Management and Stress
- Irritability. It is usually fellow workers that recognize this in you.
- Fatigue. (Do adults even notice this?)
- Concentration difficulties. You don't need to concentrate in order to make it to the next day.
- Forgetful. You forget what you had for dinner last night.
- Insomnia. Everything else is affected by this.
- Worst - Depression and withdrawal.
