Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Keep Your Cool Under Pressure



Cool As A Cucumber Strategy

Are projects and deadlines piling up at work and tempers flaring? Want to be the cool voice of reason even when others are in full-frenzy mode? Learn how to keep your cool under pressure using this cool as a cucumber strategy when things get hot.

·       Expect crises. One thing you can always count on at work—another crisis is just around the bend. It's easier to be calm, clear and focused in crises when you learn to expect them as a natural part of working. Once you accept crises as business-as-usual, you can have a plan in hand to help you handle the stress-filled times calmly. 

·         Practice the pause. Train yourself to pause when you start to feel overwhelmed. Take a couple of deep breaths and relax. You have two nervous systems you can kick into gear—one for stressing and one for relaxing. The good news is you can't be stressed and relaxed at the same time. Those conscious deep breaths serve to switch you onto the relaxed track.

·         Act, don't react. There is a moment between when something happens (crisis) and when you respond. It is in that moment you have the choice to act consciously or react unconsciously. When you pause to catch your breath, you allow yourself to choose a calm, conscious course of action. Always give yourself time to think calmly and set priorities under pressure.

·         Stay well-nourished. Get in the habit of eating a good breakfast with protein daily. When it's crunch time, you'll perform better.


Choose to bring your best!


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3 comments:

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

Being "cool in a crisis" has always been one of my gifts. And I would have had fewer to deal with had more people known your strategy! I've seen so many people ready to "do battle" at the drop of a hat - ready to take offense at nothing and beat their opponent down. Perhaps if they'd simply had a good breakfast ...

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Jean | Delightful Repast has left a new comment on your post "Keep Your Cool Under Pressure":

Being "cool in a crisis" has always been one of my gifts. And I would have had fewer to deal with had more people known your strategy! I've seen so many people ready to "do battle" at the drop of a hat - ready to take offense at nothing and beat their opponent down. Perhaps if they'd simply had a good breakfast ...Jean

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Me too, Jean. It's amazing what waiting a moment before responding and eating a good breakfast can do to keep you cool as a cucumber.

Sue