Welcome to Mission #30 of our 52 Get Organized Missions.
For some of us, being organized is an end in itself – a sense of order and freedom from clutter bring us pleasure and happiness.
For the rest of us, being organized is a means to an end – a smarter path to the things we want. By applying a little thought and planning, we increase the chances and reduce the effort of achieving our goals.
Managing stress is one such goal. Many of us deal with daily stresses, but few of us take an organized approach to thinking about what stresses us out, and how to better handle these triggers. So let’s spend this week’s 30 minutes doing just that.
Get Organized Mission #30: Organize Your Personal Stress Management Plan
Step 1: Identify Your Stress Triggers
List the triggers that raise your blood pressure or get that vein on your temple popping.
Your list might include:
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This is your list – write what stresses you.
Step 2: List Techniques for Managing Your Stress Triggers
These could be techniques that have worked for you in the past, ideas you’ve heard or read about, or simply things that feel relaxing to you.
For instance:
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Step 3: Pair Each Trigger with a Stress-Management Technique
Now, for each stress trigger you identified in Step 1, choose a technique that feels right from those you listed in Step 2. This will become your personal stress-management plan.
For instance:
When this happens: |
I’ll try this technique: |
| When the children misbehave… | I’ll change my perspective to 10 years from now, when I’ll miss the days of their childhood |
| When I get caught in traffic… | I’ll picture a calm scene |
| When I’m dealing with [name of difficult person]… |
I’ll picture them as a frightened child and feel kinder toward them |
| When I”m about to return a faulty purchase… | I’ll smile to feel more relaxed and to look less hostile |
You get the idea!
Step 4: Put Your Stress-Management Plan into Action
Read your personal stress-management plan each day so you have your responses memorized. Then, when one of these triggers hits – you’ll be ready!
Simply by thinking about what stresses you out, and preparing yourself for these triggers, you can create a personal stress-management plan to deal more effectively with your stresses.
Dos & Don’ts
- Don’t second-guess your lists. If making toast stresses you, list it as a trigger. If yodeling quietly to yourself relaxes you, list it as a technique.
- Do take the time to think about the things that stress you. Your plan will be far more effective.
Extended Organizing Mission Options
Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?
- Do this mission with your best friends. Come up with things that stress you individually, then brainstorm techniques as a group.
- Do this mission with the family. As for friends, list your stress triggers individually, then brainstorm techniques as a family.
Ready, Set, Go!
Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.
Before You Go: Check In!
Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.
And see you back here next week!
Did You Know
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Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.
[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/ / CC BY-ND 2.0]
Done… Helps a ton.
great§
Done. This one was kind of tough. I made it through. 🙂
I liked this one. I think that it would even be good for my students.
Organize your personal stress management plan. http://bit.ly/aKCbL5
RT @MicheleConnolly: ★New Post★ Get Organized To Reduce Stress [Mission #30] http://bit.ly/bgaRsM
Get Organized To Reduce Stress [Mission #30] http://bit.ly/a5Efmr
RT @MicheleConnolly Get Organized To Reduce Stress [Mission #30] http://bit.ly/bJoQFU