We’ve all had those hard days at work when we proclaim we’re leaving and not coming back. I know I have. But the problem always is that we have to come back. We cannot just get up and walk away forever. We need to pay bills and don’t want to burn bridges (although in the moment we usually don’t care!).

So, what do you do when you’re so frustrated you don’t know what else to do?

Follow these 4 steps to put your stress on hold and figure out what to do next. They really work! I just did them last week when I was in this very situation.

1. Take a Deep Breath and Walk Away

Unless you’re saving lives, I’m assuming no one will die if you take short break. When the going gets tough and I’ve reached the point where I want to pull my hair out, I walk away. Not forever, but even a 5-minute walk outside or a walk to get a cup of water can change your mindset. My spreadsheet will stay put until I get back.

2. Remember Why You Are There

There is a reason you chose this specific job/line of work. It doesn’t matter if it’s because you found it interesting, you loved the culture or knew it was lucrative. It’s always important remind yourself of these goals. Clear knowledge of your goals puts the stress you’re feeling from your job into perspective. When I get stressed out I remind myself why I am working (yeshiva tuition) and what benefits I get (flex work arrangement, pay check, medical insurance… just to name a few). If after this you still feel the stress, it’s time to move to the next step.

3. Pinpoint the problem

What is causing the stress? A process, a co-worker, client, manager? As they say, knowing is half the battle! A little root-cause analysis may be required, but it will be well worth the effort! Think of it as insurance that this won’t keep happening.

4. Remedy the Issue

Once you’ve discovered the root cause of your stress, prevent it from happening again. You may have to talk to someone, create a better workflow or even find a new job. Make sure to create a timeline with actionable items. Checking these items off the list will give you so much satisfaction, you may forget what prompted you to make the list in the first place!

What tactics do you use to relieve stress and prevent it from happening again?

Until next time,
Shaindy