The Energy Equation

Stop and listen approach

1. As soon as you notice yourself being stressed, just stop what you are doing.
2. Acknowledge that you are feeling stressed and don’t allow yourself to become more ‘stressed about being stressed’. That’s very common but counterproductive.
3. Ask yourself, ‘What is the underlying fear that is causing this stress?’ Usually when we are stressed there is an unconscious fear underneath. See the box for common fears. For example, I might screw this up and look bad or get fired. My boss or colleagues may not like me.
4. Is this a rational fear? Are you blowing the consequences out of proportion?
5. Look at the worst-case scenario: ‘Would I survive?’
6. Now look at the most likely scenario: what do you need to do to resolve the situation and ...