Description

The conversation focuses on managing stress at the workplace, particularly in the context of increased stress since COVID-19. The guest, Michael Cooper, discusses the reasons for the rise in stress levels, such as fear, job insecurity, and increased workload. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and taking regular breaks to prevent burnout. Michael also provides practical tips for managing stress, including starting the day with a quiet time, incorporating wellness practices throughout the day, and turning off notifications on electronic devices. Finally, he encourages open communication with colleagues and superiors to express needs and concerns. The conversation explores the importance of communication, clarity of wellness advice, internal frames and mental patterns, hyper-perfectionism and pleasing others, negotiating workload and saying no, engaging in conversation with leaders, equipping leaders to manage performance, identifying genuine non-performance, having one-on-one conversations, importance of self-awareness, escalating issues in the workplace, negative thought patterns and non-performance, reasons for non-performance, self-awareness and stress triggers, finding balance and self-care practices, working in a job for needs vs. wants, encouraging self-care practices, designing effective hybrid work models, motivation factors: purpose, belonging, growth, taking breaks and creating renewal spaces, and reflecting on life and finding meaning.

Takeaways

• Increased stress levels at the workplace have been observed since COVID-19, with factors such as fear, job insecurity, and increased workload contributing to the rise.
• Setting boundaries and taking regular breaks are crucial for preventing burnout. Daily practices like starting the day with a quiet time and incorporating wellness activities throughout the day can help manage stress.
• Turning off notifications on electronic devices can reduce distractions and improve focus.
• Open communication with colleagues and superiors is important for expressing needs and concerns and seeking support. Effective communication is crucial in the workplace, especially in virtual settings.
• Understanding and addressing internal frames and mental patterns can help improve wellness and performance.
• Negotiating workload and setting boundaries is important for managing stress and maintaining well-being.
• Leaders should be equipped to have one-on-one conversations and manage performance effectively.
• Self-awareness and identifying stress triggers can help individuals manage stress more effectively.
• Creating a balance between work and personal life and finding meaning in one's work are essential for well-being.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/kclrJE3w9QI