Staying Calm at Work

 When your coworkers don’t do what they are supposed to do, do you blow up at them or let it fester inside you? Are you the one who reacts (or even overreacts) to every adverse situation? If you answered yes to either of these, it might be time to adjust your strategy. Your coworkers are going to rebel against you eventually if you don’t, and you’ll be less effective at your job.

People have different personalities at work. Some are laid back, while others want to be the center of attention. When working with a group of people, it’s helpful to know what type of personalities they have, so that you know how to react to each person individually. A one-size-fits-all approach is not effective.

Some people are highly sensitive to overzealous reactions, and they will resent you for putting them through the stress. If you become calm by yelling at others, understand that you may be stressing them out. Again, not an effective strategy.

If you are a manager at work, you still need to figure out the right way to handle delicate situations. Many managers believe they can yell and that will solve the problem. While yelling will work on occasions, as a long-term solution, it becomes less useful. Learning to communicate, remaining calm, and being respectful is a much more effective leadership style.

Think about people in your life who constantly get upset at every little thing. After a while, you probably don’t pay much attention to them. They are going to get mad no matter what you do, so you continue without regard to their reactions.

Choosing your battles is useful. Try to let the little items go. It’s not worth the energy you expend getting upset. Suppose you are someone who never gets upset. Then, a situation occurs where you do get upset. Do you think people will take notice when that happens? It’s highly likely they will and know that you mean business.

If you aren’t in a management position but are getting upset at coworkers, you should ask yourself why? They will wonder why you believe you have the right to get upset with them. That’s not in your remit. Besides, staying calm will often lead to better results. People expect others to get upset and you throw them off when you remain calm. It’s a better tactic than most people believe, but we are conditioned to think that yelling is the way to get our point across.

If you are a highly-strung individual, it may be time to consider anger management sessions. These can help you overcome your anger issues which will, in turn, make you a calmer person. And the truth is, the calmness will give you an edge over your colleagues.

The next time you feel irritated at work, try some breathing exercises. Staying calm and centered allows you to think clearly, listen more effectively, and experience a calmer work environment.

What effective strategies do you employ to stay calm at work?

Until next time...

Cheers!

Lisa

P.S. During this Coronavirus pandemic, many of us are working from home. This can be added pressure as we balance work and responsibilities with all the distractions. How can you stay calm? 

Make sure to have a schedule. If you have children at home, keep a schedule for them, too. This is an opportunity to model the behaviors you expect from your children, so set some boundaries: limit screen time, continue educational studies, and make sure to include exercise. Movement is going to prove to be an essential practice in the days and weeks to come. Teach your children to do something daily for their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.