Today’s Focus: How’s your stress?

Like always, I guess? Whether we’re talking about wars, elections (there are at least 64 elections that are happening or have happened in 2024), inflation is up for the most part across the world (though, it seems that some measures are helping, at least in most countries), and more: you could be forgiven for having a few sources of stress from the world in your life, and that’s before you even get to work.

So, what’s happening for you at work? How are you coping?

We know that across the world we have some issues with stress:

• American adults ages 45 to 64 were most likely to report money and the economy (both 63%) and health-related (62%) as top significant stressors in 2023. The biggest increase in stressors from 2019 was the economy (up from 45%).
• 2023 data found thirty-five percent of C-level leaders are “often” or “always” stressed about work, and 40% say they will likely quit in the next 12 months due to work-related stress.
• Some 2022 data saw uncertainty about the future is another major concern amongst younger employees, with 34% of Gen Z citing it as a key stressor, compared to 31% of Millennials and only 21% of those aged over 65. Young employees are also worried about a lack of opportunities, with a quarter (24%) of Gen Z worried about a lack of learning and jobs, compared to only 14% of 35-49-yearolds and 9% of 50-64-year-olds.

When you consider the stress in your life, what’s causing it? Sometimes, a bit of metacognition (that is, thinking about your thinking) can be very helpful.

For Managers and Leaders:

• Have you communicated clearly what is expected?
• Are you holding accountability for timelines and expectations?
• What conversations do you need to have that you are avoiding?
• Is your boss breathing down your neck? Why? Are you doing a good job of managing up?
• Are there other factors at play that you can control that you’re not doing a good enough job at controlling? Or, are you being unfair and unrealistic with yourself?

For Individual Contributors:

• Are you doing a good job of managing up? 
• Are you getting clear communication and expectations? If not, why is that? Can you fix this by having a conversation?
• Are you happy with life right now? If not, is it about the job? Or, are other things coming into how you feel about work?
• Do you have specific issues with work? Too much? Not getting enough compensation? Work is not rewarding? You’re not being affirmed? Consider what you have control and influence over and what you cannot control.
• Is it your mindset that is holding you back in some way?

None of these questions are silver bullets, but, sometimes, stopping to consider what is causing us stress is the first thing to help us on the journey to correct it.

And no, not all stress is bad, either. If you have ZERO stress, you’re likely bored, from a physiological sense. Consider the following helpful resources if you’re wanting to go deeper on this:

• Yerkes-Dodson – this helpful framework can help you think about the right level of stress (“good stress”, also known as eustress).
• Mihaly Csikszentmihaly (Flow) – this is also another approach that is helpful as you think about how to use your brain to its highest impact. See the video.

If you’re feeling stressed, remember: there’s never been a situation you couldn’t get through. The grimmest situation and circumstances can be overcome. I’m cheering for you and there are people in your life that are doing the same: don’t forget that!