(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

Since you’re not likely to have a life with no stress, it’s probably a good idea to learn to manage it when it occurs. Oh, you can attempt to have no stress – I guess living in a cave may be an approach – but expecting to have no stress is counter to what life has been delivering.

The good news is that managing stress is a learn-able skill.

The skill starts with the notion that you are at choice about stress. You are either choosing to manage it or choosing to let it overwhelm you. You may not like it that something stressful has happened, but you do not have to accept it ‘as your due.’ You are not a victim. Just as you can choose how you react to something wonderful, so can you choose your reaction to something stressful.

After realizing you are at choice you can then begin to look for resources to help you manage the situation. In fact, the simple act of looking begins to lift you out of the trap of stress. Resources may include: your past (when you handled a similar situation), new learning (pausing to do a little research or study also has the benefit of temporarily breaking the hold the stress may have on you), or your family, friends, and professionals. Becoming an effective manager of stress does not mean you have to do it alone.

Finally, you can prepare for managing bigger stress by recognizing smaller stressful issues and practice the processes on them. Muscles strengthen with use.

The brilliant Hans Selye said, “It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”

 

Coaching Point: Have you already discovered that becoming a masterful manager of stress actually lessens the occurrence of stressful situations?

 

Copyright 2016 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.