QUESTION: Work Related Stress?

Dear Merry,

I work in a very fast-paced company in an OD supervisory role. I am a typical type-A "driver personality. I love my company, but I am suffering from some serious work-related stress symptoms. I've been anxious and even having heart palpitations which my doctor attributes to stress and lack of work/life balance. I am wondering if I am just not cut out for the corporate world. Perhaps I should consider looking for a position with a company that's more slow-paced?


RESPONSE: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Dear Executive,

Heart palpitations are an acute symptom. It is appropriate that you are addressing this as a health situation that requires serious consideration and attention.

Because you have already sought medical advice and the doctor suggests the symptoms are related to stress, I am happy to offer coaching to address your situation. This circumstance is not unique to you or your company. I have coached in many different organizations and stress is high across the board. Many of the top executives I coach share with me that their stress level is acute and that, like you, it is impacting their health with these types of symptoms. They report a great deal of "dis-ease and anxiety as well.

What I notice is that when the coaching door closes, everyone has certain inner fears, doubts and insecurities. My coachees are always surprised when I tell them that many others at their level - or even higher levels of responsibility - feel the same way. I notice that people always compare their inner most feelings, fears and doubts to other people's outer professional persona. It may help you just to know that generally, people feel very similarly to you regardless of their position, salary or responsibilities.

So knowing you are not alone is a good start. Next, there are some foundational things to examine:

1) How many hours are you working? The organization will always take more of your time if you are willing to give it. Only you can set the boundary around what is reasonable and establish limits.
2) Are you sleeping enough? Current studies show that we actually need more sleep - potentially even more than 8 hours and certainly more than the 4-5 hours most executives I coach get.
3) Are you eating regularly and is it a healthy diet? The executive I coached this afternoon had had nothing but 3 cups of coffee to eat. This is the fast track to heart palpitations - and worse.
4) What does your exercise program look like? A regular exercise program is essential to support stress reduction.
5) Do you have a more is better attitude? Do you think that if you just work a little harder or a little longer, you will finally get ahead? Most of us think this way. But brain science studies show that what is optimal for our creativity, motor coordination and decision making is that we work at a task for only 90 minutes to 2 hours. Then it's time to push away for 5-15 minutes to have quality time out which you define. It's not another call or email&but maybe a walk outside or down the hall. Looking out the window for a few minutes is also a nice option. Studies show that sitting at your desk for 4 hours at a clip does not make for good health, success or good leadership.

In general, what I find with executives is that they keep applying more pressure & working harder, exercising less and eating less - rather than working smarter. Changing this is difficult, but offers a valuable opportunity to observe yourself and your sponsoring beliefs. Type-A "driver personalities often have anxiety around not wanting to be "found out or behaviors related to masking low self-esteem. What is driving you to work so hard? What does working so hard give you? Understanding the answers to these questions could provide you the insight you are looking for.

Dare to Deliver!
Merry

Merry Marcus
President
www.breakthroughconsulting.com



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