Stress And Stress Management At Work

N.B. Note that this fact sheet is about work. However most of the things you can do will help all parts of your life. If you find however that your stress is coming from outside, do seek a friend to talk to, a counsellor, a doctor etc. People do not need to live under stress and the only person who can stop stress happening to you, is you.

It would be nice to think that none of us really have to be under stress. If you are under stress for a long period of time then there is something wrong. Either you are not organised enough or your workload is too much. Experience in the voluntary sector usually points at the latter; there has always been too much work to do and you know you are not going to be able to do it. If you think it is the former then you need to assess your training needs and get trained.

Also let me point out that stress is not pressure. Pressure is something we all have to deal with and it can be a good thing. Pressure gives you a buzz when you don't know if you can or can't do something, pressure makes you think fast and act accordingly. Pressure is exciting. Pressure is not constant; pressure makes you sleep deeply because you're exhausted. Pressure adds that little sparkle to your life.

Stress is something else. Stress will drain you and finally destroy you. Stress will keep you awake at night and add to your burden. Stress will make things seem out of perspective. Stress will make you shout at your family and will make the feeling of going to work so urgent although you wont be able to explain why. Stress gives you a constant headache.

Stress is not a necessary condition to working. Stress is something that often is impossible to overcome. Once you have realised you're under stress you may have to take out completely whatever it is that is stressing you out - that may mean doing something drastic like quitting your job.

However before you get to that stage there are a few things that you can do. Firstly is get a life. Not rudely speaking but get things into perspective. Stress at work is a work thing.

Think of the worst thing that has ever happened to you in your life. It's probably not a work thing. Think of your last job and the worst thing that happened there - probably it seems rather petty, if not funny now - that's even if you can remember exactly what it was. Get things into perspective.

The most important things in this world are family and friends and enjoying work. Get things into perspective.

Once you realise the importance of things other than work, you can move on to sorting yourself out a bit. Believe me, while you are under stress you will not be performing very well; you may even be making mistakes, winding other people up and generally creating an unpleasant atmosphere around you.

Right let's move on: Make the following things happen in your life for the next three months and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't and you are still under stress you may have to look at whether you should be working at your office at all.

Clear your desk

This is very important. Make space for yourself. Clearing your desk will put things into perspective; give yourself time to make lists. Often when we write lists it makes tasks seem smaller. We also need to make lists to break down tasks so we can start to sort out each thing one at a time. Sometimes it is the starting that is the hardest thing. (See fact sheet on time management on how to do this)

Take breaks

You must have your lunch, even if you just walk around the block. Ideally if you can find somewhere that is comfortable, like a park in summer, or a museum in winter then you should be able to go and sit and listen to your walkman, read your book, watch people. This is very important. Taking breaks will give you clarity of thought and you may even come up with some good ideas while your watching other people's lives. Mediation would be good, but just listening to your favourite song, be it a Vivaldi Number or a Zeplin number will be helpful.

Stop interruptions

Interruptions could be taking up most of your day and not allowing you to get on with what you need to do. You need to find somewhere that is quiet or be strict about when people cannot bother you. Even an hour a day of total concentration will help you.

Work less/go home on time

I know, I know. You're thinking - in an ideal world of course I would go home early but I can't. Well just try this for a month and see if you're workload increases. If it does, maybe your workload is simply impossible.

Ask questions

If you don't know how to do something, ask somebody. One of the main resources a fundraiser has is that people are willing to give advice on how to do something. Pick up the phone and see what happens.

Make your job fun

If you can't make your job fun, how can you expect your supporters to have fun doing their events. People on the 'outside' expect fundraisers to be the happiest people in the world - doing a rewarding job and getting paid for it. You owe it to make that the truth!!!!!!!!! If you feel a project is not going to be enjoyable find one that is. Get excited about what you do. Your enthusiasm will naturally flow over.

Join in meetings

Come to meetings with a notepad ready to contribute. The more you are part of your work future the less stress you will feel.

Here are 12 pointers to write down. On the way home write a bit on each title of how you're going to achieve these things in the next 4 weeks.

Internal action

Laugh more
Stop being such a perfectionist
Control your anger
Don't procrastinate
Pick your battles
Follow your dreams

External action

Exercise more
Turn off the TV.
See more of your friends
Go outside (nature is a great place to think - walk in a wood, a park, by a river)
Eat better

Other fact sheets in Personal development
Fact sheet index

Email a question

Copyright of Alba Fundraising Ltd or the individuals or companies who contribute to this website. This material may be copied and distributed freely on the understanding that no profit is made from doing so.

Disclaimer: No payment is received from suppliers, companies or individuals for publishing their details on this website. The information is offered by those in the fundraising arena and whilst we try to make every effort to ensure the integrity of this information, Alba Fundraising Ltd cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies, or any loss or inconvenience that may be caused by using this site.

home | resources | fact sheets | services
site map | download the site
Alba Fundraising Ltd.
Tel: 44 (0) 7775868768, Email: alba@alba-lewis.demon.co.uk
Web: www.professionalfundraiser.org.uk

Web site design by Vivid Interactive.