We’re about to suggest something that might seem a little counterintuitive … but it’s actually pretty amazing advice (we’re not taking credit for it).
Our clients (over 40, “type A” high level professionals and entrepreneurs) are under a lot of stress – whether it’s everyday stress because of their high pressure careers, big deadlines, hectic schedules, etc., or because of job changes, life changes, or even changes in health.
Stress can make us feel overwhelmed and out of control, and it can even feed on itself, making it worse!
Ready for the advice?
One of the best things you can do when you’re stressed is to set a goal.
OK, so you might be wondering why it’s a good idea to add another thing to your to-do list when you’re already feeling stressed. Legit question.
Having a goal actually narrows down your focus, and helps give you a sense of purpose. Both of those factors can actually cut back on your stress.
We’re giving credit for this nugget to Dr. Ann Webster, a health psychologist who was quoted in the Harvard Health letter.
“When people set goals for themselves, they have a positive sense of commitment, feel they’re in control, and are optimistic,” says Dr. Webster.
One of the things we like about having specific goals is that they help block out distractions.
For instance, if you’re working toward three strength workouts a week this month, that means you’ve got to put them in your calendar. And that might mean you let go of a commitment that isn’t so important to your goal.
Dr. Webster thinks it’s a good idea to have goals for your health, career, relationships, creativity and even for recreation/fun.
That’s a lot of goals to work toward at the same time, so you might want to mix and match to suit your time and interests. We’re a fan of having just 1-2 goals at the same time.
That being said, if you’re in the middle of a busy season at work, it might not be the best time to decide to go full steam ahead into training for a marathon. But it might be the perfect time to lay a stronger cardio fitness base so that when your schedule DOES ease up, you are ready to tackle the training.
Having that strong sense of purpose will pull you through your stressful time and make it seem a lot less daunting.
Here’s another example…
Let’s say you have a goal of preparing your meals ahead of time this month. You do this because you want to eat healthier, lose a little weight, and save a little money.
When you focus on getting this done, you’ll be amazed at how much space this frees up in your life!
You’ll save time, eliminate the daily “what’s for dinner?” question, and also spend a LOT less time and money at the grocery store. It’s amazing how much mental space you can clear when your meals are already prepared!
And if you’re going through an extra tough time right now, consider setting a really exciting goal… because it can be incredibly energizing and help you take your focus off some of the other things going on.
We recently worked towards a big goal of hiking 70+ miles with 20K+ elevation gain in New Zealand over 10 days. This was my “big hairy audacious goal” I wanted to achieve for my 50th birthday. It was a great way to stay focused on our fitness, nutrition and really improved our focus & mindset!
We’ve had clients train to hike mountains, do triathlons, and more after losing a loved one or going through a divorce.
We are always here to help!
We can help you set meaningful goals … and help you create a step-by-step plan to achieve them!
We are on a MISSION to help over 40 high level professionals and entrepreneurs to conquer stress so that they can live their best life. Download our FREE guide REJUVENATE: 24 Techniques to Beat Stress.
REFERENCE:
www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/best-ways-to-manage-stress