Eliminating Invisible Stress

Work is stressful, home is stressful, life is stressful.  But, how can you eliminate some of that stress?  Sometimes it is just a matter of organization and identifying where your stressors are coming from.  An unfinished project can cause more stress sometimes than the obvious stress of carting kids, meeting deadlines, paying bills and preparing dinner.  The unfinished project is a pesky reminder of an unfufilled commitment.



I despise to paint, yet I love the finished look.  Honestly, once I get started it is not so bad.  But staring at the paint chips taped on the wall is a constant reminder that I have started the painting project in my kitchen.  It stresses me out to even look at the paint chips!  I have wanted several times to just tear them off the wall and forget the idea even existed.  But then I look at the color of the walls currently, think of how nice it will look when it is done and... well, the paint strips are still there.



Take time in the next two days to list all of your stressors – big ones and small ones.  Choose three items on the list and decide how you can minimize the stress itself or minimize the affect it has on you.

For instance, if carting kids and running errands is a stressor.  Decide that you will:

organize the errands in a list

decide how long it will take you to do each one

organize them by location

map out a plan of attack

decide when you have time to do them all

check them off as you complete them

Find out who you can carpool with to kids practices, lessons, school, etc. 

Another example; paying bills:

Buy a calendar just for your bills

Write the due date for each bill on the calendar

Write how much will be due

Circle pay days in your household

Manage your cash flow

Check off the bills as you pay them

Final example; deadlines at work – big project due:

On a dry erase board write the name of the project at the top

Write the deadline date at the bottom

Brainstorm all of the steps that will be necessary to complete the project

Write anyone’s name beside a step that will require their involvement

Create a plan for completion and communicate that plan to anyone else who is involved

Plan for set backs

Create mini-deadlines for each step

Check off each step as you accomplish it – do not erase, you need to see your progress

You will be amazed at how simply organizing your stressors on paper relieves some pressure instantly.  Plan you work and work your plan.