Many of us start the new year with a whirlwind of activity. No sooner do we close out the previous year assessing our accomplishments (and perhaps our failures) than we immediately move into listing all of the results we want to achieve in the new year. We create KPIs, action plans and PowerPoint decks and have loads of meetings to define, discuss and determine what’s ahead. It can be an overwhelming time as we accept responsibility to deliver said items. We consider all the people we will need to help us execute flawlessly on our plans, and we may even feel like we can do it.
When the first, second and third roadblocks land in front of us, we may internalize the pressure, putting our heads down and continuing to work. As the stress builds, however, we may disengage, panic or, at the very least, react in a non-productive, emotive way.
When we are stressed, our bodies must support the responses to the stress. Cortisol levels rise, our physiology adapts to the stress, and over time, this results in mood swings, weight gain and fatigue — to name a few. If there is no modality to release the stress, then we can frequently experience emotional reactivity — which leads to non-productive behavior, such as an outburst in a meeting in response to someone’s ideas that you believe will not work.
As a consultant, I frequently hear of people being overly reactive versus proactive. This state impacts our communication: We can become passive-aggressive, make accusing or criticizing statements, withhold information or just stay buried in our own silos in an effort to get the job done. These types of reactions do not help us to collaborate more, share best practices or think in proactive ways. They hurt our reputations and the way people perceive us if we behave in this manner over and over again.
So, how can you avoid this outcome? Here are three tips to start the new year off in a proactive, productive way.
• Release stress. Carve out time to blow off steam. When you are stressed, take a brisk walk outside, even if only for 15 minutes. That may be the amount of time it takes one person to go to the bathroom, so it’s not unreasonable to take that time for yourself if it means having a calm demeanor as you move through life’s challenges. Frequent exercise can have a positive impact on your adrenals and cortisol levels, giving you a better chance at handling the stress in a more productive manner.
• Practice Mindfulness. It’s so important to practice self-reflection and learning. It’s easy to look at everyone else’s flaws and judge their behaviors, but it’s not as easy to inspect oneself and find the opportunities to improve. Take alone time to reflect and quiet your mind.