No doubt about it: the multi-tasking duties and deadlines and challenging goals that nonprofit professionals face each day are stressful. So what can we do to maintain a positive attitude and keep that stress in check?
So often we hear of stress being the result of being overworked, but the opposite can be true as well: Reduced activity or postponing tasks leads to more worry and increased anxiety.
You can actually overcome certain types of stress by picking up the pace of your work. Here’s how:
1. Avoid postponing jobs. Tackle them head-on. Begin with the most unpleasant tasks first.
2. Be the master of your day. Rather than react to each day’s circumstances, list and prioritize daily tasks. Then stay focused on their completion.
3. Challenge yourself. Don’t stop after you have completed several daily tasks; keep going. You’ll be surprised how much more you can accomplish by taking a brief break every now and then followed by returning to whatever is next on your daily agenda.
While you may still feel a certain level of stress associated with working harder, the resulting reward of accomplishment will turn worry and anxiety into improved self-confidence and self-satisfaction. And that reduces stress.
