Working under pressure is never easy, no matter how experienced you are. But you can learn some simple tricks to stay calm and in control.
These are uncertain, stressful times, but staying calm and focused while performing your professional duties makes you more productive and gives you clear direction when navigating difficult situations.
‘Staying level-headed under pressure is essential,’ says Ronel Groenewald, a psychologist at Mediclinic Kimberley and Gariep. ‘The decisions you make in moments of crisis and stress are critical, so you can’t allow your emotions to influence the process unnecessarily. You need precise, effective, and intelligent action.’
Here are three ways to help you cope with decision-making and doing what you need to in a pressured environment.
Prioritise
Trying to address everything that demands your attention will leave you feeling fractured and ineffectual. Instead, take a step back and ask yourself:
- What’s most important here? Why?
- What’s unimportant or irrelevant here?
- Where should I start in order to handle this pressure?
‘Prioritising things helps you focus on the key factors at any given time,’ says Groenewald. ‘If you take the time to zero in on the most crucial tasks, you’ll achieve a sense of control. Feeling empowered makes you feel more confident and calm about your next move.’
Focus on one thing
Perhaps you pride on being able to multi-task, but this is actually one of the leading causes of pressure at work. ‘Although your working environment might be dynamic and unpredictable, knowing how to manage your time is critical to productivity,’ says Groenewald. ‘If you slow down and stay in the present moment, you can fully engage in each task, which enables you to perform better instead of embarking on a series of incomplete tasks.’
Think positively
In a stressful situation, you might find your mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario. The more you imagine the worst, the more difficult it is to remain calm. ‘Make a conscious effort to stop these negative thoughts in their tracks,’ says Groenewald. ‘Ditch them and refocus your mind on something positive, no matter how small. Thinking positive thoughts allows you to keep stress in check by shifting attention to a “stress-free” zone in your brain. In fact, one of the greatest weapons against stress is your ability to choose one thought over another.’