Stress is one of the major reasons why people not only experience mental fatigue, but also physical fatigue, which can result in sickness. And I’m sure you’ve heard several statistics about how stress is one of the leading causes of fatality. How depressing! Well I’m not here to be a Debbie downer, so let’s lift this, very real, topic from dim to bright with this fact right here. When under pressure, we can totally eliminate stress! Yes, stress is real and it almost feels like it’s an inevitable part of life—but, it can be wiped out when we get our mind right about it, especially in those times of high pressure.
While dealing with various work conundrums over the years, I’ve learned some things that have helped me create peace and power at work. You can do the same and fight the stress you may be facing today and for future, so let’s get to it!
WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON
There are many things that can cause pressure at work. An approaching deadline for a major project, an expectation to close a deal with a potential client, the task to make major improvements to a team dynamic, or to perform impeccably in a presentation you have to give. The list can go on. When pressure does present itself, a natural human reaction is to allow it to overwhelm us. Well if you find yourself frantic and stuck, stop for a moment. Do this instead. Begin to review the bigger picture. Ask yourself, “what’s really happening here?” “Why do I care so much, to this extent?” “If things go great, fantastic! But if things don’t go as hoped for, is this the end of the world?” “Who’s really putting pressure on me, and what is their motive?” Review your answers. Perhaps those who are applying the pressure on you are feeling their own pressure and fear–fear of ruining their reputation, position or sense of self-worth. When you have a grasp of what’s really going on, you can see things from a clearer more reasonable perspective. You can take better control and care of your emotions and mental health about the situation. Sometimes the situation can seem larger than it really is in the grand scheme of things when we don’t exam what’s really going on. Another thing to think about and a good question to ask yourself is, “a year or even two months from now, is this situation going to really matter?”
TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME
When we feel overwhelmed by a high pressure situation that we’re facing, a lot of times it’s because we’re taking on too much all at once. I know this full well by experience! When I look at my schedule and see that I not only need to work at the restaurant 35 hours for the week, but also need to write blog posts, execute food shoots, prepare videos, not to mention ministry activities, errands and more, things can feel a little “too much!” When it does feel that way, that’s when I know that I need to break things down and take the step-by-step approach–which is what I recommend. Sit down for a moment, take a pen and notepad, and write down what needs to be done. Then mark each item with a number in order of priority as though they’re standing in line at the DMV—1, 2, 3, etc. Each one has to wait their turn, even if it takes a while! What can’t wait needs to be at the front of the line and what can wait needs to be further down the line. Bottom-line is, you don’t need to get everything done all at once. That would be madness if that were the expectation. Try the one-step-at-a-time approach and let me know in the comments below if it calms the nerves a bit. Another great prioritization tool is Covey’s Method of Prioritization. Google that and try it out as well!
JUST BREATHE
When you’re in the moment, working away, feeling a bit inundated and perhaps defeated, it’s the perfect time to stop what you’re doing and go outside. No matter what the weather is, just go outside and breathe-in new air. Look at the nature around you. Take it all in. If you’re in a city with skyscrapers as far as the eye can see, then look up at the miraculous expansive sky. Take a mental break—clear your mind for a moment. This is what I like to call, your “Reset Button Moment.” This is also a perfect time to pray. Tell God what’s on your heart. What you’re worried about. What you need. What you’re hoping for. Disconnect from reality and take things to a spiritual place where help truly resides. I love the lyrics to this song called Breathe. It goes: “Breathe, just breathe. Come and rest at my feet. And be, just be. Chaos calls but all you really need is to take it in, fill your lungs. The peace of God that overcomes. Just breathe (just breathe). Let your weary spirit rest. Lay down what’s good and find what’s best. Just breathe (just breathe).”
How comforting.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
IDENTIFY THE FEAR
There’s one fundamental thing that we need to understand about stress, and that is, it’s rooted in fear. This doesn’t diminish who we are because we feel fear as it’s a natural emotion. However, fear is not supposed to pitch a tent and live within us. Fear is to be rebuked, destroyed, overcome! So first identify your fear—where is it stemming from? Is it not getting that promotion or pay increase, the tarnishing of your self-image, losing your job, the threatening of your sense of value? What is the fear? Once you’ve identified the fear, rebuke it with the truth because fear is fed by lies. I encourage you to look up Scriptures that counter the lies in the mind. There’s at the very least one, but likely several Scriptures for every negative thought. Google the topic and add “Scriptures” after the word and you’ll get a list that you can meditate on to drive out those fears and work in confidence and power at work.
LOOK AT THE BENEFIT
Something good is happening in the pressure. I know that depending on the predicament, it can feel impossible to find the upside, but there’s a silver lining in any situation we’re in somewhere. For example, there was a presentation that I had to give to company executives in a previous position. I can’t tell you how unqualified I was to speak on the topic, let alone straight up scared to do it. You want to talk about fear?! Well, I prepared, I gave the talk, it went so-so, and I got past it. Looking back now (not in the moment), I can see clearly that there was a benefit. The main one is, I realized that doing something you’re fearful of won’t kill you but will actually make you stronger in that area, which it did! Now I have a honed talent in speaking. Look at that–I would’ve never imagined! You just never know what pressure is developing you into or preparing you for. As it is said, diamonds are formed under pressure.
Find and use your power under pressure. Here’s to powerful workweeks and good eats! Enjoy the recipe below!
Love,
Yardley
WALNUT CHEESE N’ FRUIT SALAD
Ingredients
1 cup Walnuts
2 tbsp. Garlic Confit i.e. Simmered Garlic
½-1 tsp. Onion Powder
½-1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 dash Tabasco Sauce
1 dash Cayenne Pepper
1 tbsp. Scallion, diced
2 generous pinches dry Thyme
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
Salt + Pepper, to taste
1 generous pinch Red Pepper Flakes
+Your preferred style of tuna–shredded or whole
Instructions
Soak your walnuts in hot water for a half an hour or more, until tender
Garlic Confit: In a small sauce pot, add one head of peeled whole raw garlic cloves, add olive oil—enough to cover the garlic, bring heat to medium high until a simmer, once at a simmer, reduce temperature to low and let cook for up to 45 minutes until tender, and voila, you have your confit!
Add all your ingredients into either a small blender (a Nutribullet of sorts) or using a stick blender in a bowl, and blend
Once mixture is smooth, remove and add it to a bowl of mixed fruit of your choice
Sprinkle in a bit of red pepper flakes and mix gently with your hands or a plastic spatula
Plate mixture on top of leafy greens of your choice and add your preferred style of tuna—I chose grilled tuna for a nice twist on the typical Tuna Salad
As you can see, this recipe is very much “approximate.” Adjust as you taste–taste as you adjust. This is an opportunity for you to make the flavor profile of this Walnut Cheese recipe all your own. It’s an easy breezy recipe–no pressure =) Try it out and tell me how it goes in the comments below.
Enjoy!
