Stress Managementfor the Crazed AdvisorPresented by Joe Robinson© 2007 Joe Robinson

“Life is long if you know how to use it.”

—Seneca

The Overload FallacyThe Overload Fallacy

> Work fills time

> False Urgency

> Busyness isn’t productivity

> “Mechanical Momentum”

> Work fills time

> False Urgency

> Busyness isn’t productivity

> “Mechanical Momentum”

Reflex vs. ScienceReflex vs. ScienceReflex

> Constant cell, E-mail interruptions> Multitasking speeds up work> Answering that E-mail won’t take long

Reflex> Constant cell, E-mail interruptions> Multitasking speeds up work> Answering that E-mail won’t take long

The Science> Interrupted workers less productive> Multitasking slows you down> Each E-mail is a loss of 15 minutes

Time to Draw the Line?

• E-mail growth rate: 66%

• 100 E-mails a day = 166 per day

next year, 275 the year after that,

456 the year after that

• Cost of 100 E-mails a day: 24,000

E-mails annually = 100 days

Boundaries Manage Chaos

• Don’t sigh, qualify

> What’s the urgency?

> What are the consequences of waiting?

• Trade commotion for mobility

• Stoplights work

“Where’s my BlackBerry?”

“I’ll never get all this week’s nuts!”

The Stress ExpressThe Stress Express

• “Perceived” danger

• Threat to coping ability

• Lack of control, latitude

Chronic stress

• “Perceived” danger

• Threat to coping ability

• Lack of control, latitude

Chronic stress

Stress Trigger

Deadline, Colleague

Stress Response

Fear, Anger

Stress Symptoms

Back Pain

Chronic Stress

Back Pain

Hypertension

Insomnia

BurnoutDepression

Heart DiseaseStroke

3-Way Shutdown> Emotional exhaustion

> Depersonalization> Reduced accomplishment

The StressBurnout

Cycle

Cost of Overperformance• A workaholic will die before an alcoholic

• Working more than 51 hours a week triples risk

of heart disease

• Chronic 11- and 12-hour days triples risk of injury

• Those who work more than 40 hours a week are twice as likely to report serious stress

What stress?

What Buries UsWhat Buries Us

• Productivity Paranoia

• Mistaken identity

• Output misconceptions

• Productivity Paranoia

• Mistaken identity

• Output misconceptions

Productivity Revisited

• Productivity = Renewal + Energy

• Mind goes before body

• Fatigued brains look asleep

• Input fuels output

The source of true productivity is

a refreshed and energized mind.

Input

Output

Energy

Passion

Creativity

Growth

Money

Perseverance

Achievement

Step 1 Recalibrate Time Pressure

• “I’m too busy”

• Thought before action

• The Speed Trap

• Is it an emergency?

Step 2 Reframe Stress

• It’s the reaction

• Fear first, think later

• Identify stressors

• Change the story

• Attitude shift

Step 3 Refuel EnergyStep 3 Refuel Energy

•• Strategic PausesStrategic Pauses• • Open up to the big pictureOpen up to the big picture• • Energy OpportunitiesEnergy Opportunities• • Input FridaysInput Fridays• • Time off is medicineTime off is medicine

•• Strategic PausesStrategic Pauses• • Open up to the big pictureOpen up to the big picture• • Energy OpportunitiesEnergy Opportunities• • Input FridaysInput Fridays• • Time off is medicineTime off is medicine

You need a Strategic Pause...

> When pressure peaks

> You’re stuck

> Mistakes happen

> Concentration goes

> Daydreaming begins

# 4 Set Boundaries

• Traffic lights

• Prevent self-infliction

• “No” as a productivity tool

• Communicate > ask > position

• Stop times

• Realistic deadlines

#5 Do First Things First

Take time to get timeHigh-value tasks vs. low-valueOut of your head and on paperWhat’s important? Base campsIdentify time sinks

Step 6: Control the E-Leash

• Check E-mail at designated times• Determine urgency• Turn off autocheck & noisemakers• Use “No Reply Necessary”• Don’t write longer than a paragraph• Set up focus zones• Identify unnecessary E-mail

• Check E-mail at designated times• Determine urgency• Turn off autocheck & noisemakers• Use “No Reply Necessary”• Don’t write longer than a paragraph• Set up focus zones• Identify unnecessary E-mail

Step 7 Life Assurance

• Get on the calendar

• Find the participant element

• Leave the comfort zone

The more active leisure life, the

higher your life satisfaction.

LIVE THE ADVENTURE!Work Balance, Life-Immersion Solutions

Joe Robinson

Work to Live www.worktolive.info

> Work Balance Trainings> Work & Life Coaching> Keynotes > Workshops> Adventure Travel

Tel: 310-392-9580E-mail: joe@worktolive.info