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What is the Key to Less Stress at Work and Life?

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.: Thu, Nov 19th 2009 - 06:36:59 PM

multitasking As we start our workdays most of us have one thing in mind. No matter the task, whatever project is in front of us, the question is, how do we get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible so we can get onto the next thing? However, there is one key thing that is missing in this logic...

It's not only how to get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible, but how to do in a way that's not going to stress us out and leave our minds in turmoil.

The thing is, this issue isn't just in our work environments, but in our lives as well. At times it can seem like a mad rush to wake up, get ready, prepare meals, clean the house, run errands, and fit in exercise. Sometimes we're even trying to achieve relaxation as we "rush home from work to relax."

Achieving is bread into us at an early age, we're often trying to fit in and belong, wearing the right clothes, being skinny enough, or even pushing ourselves beyond the limits to get the highest grade.

Achieve! Achieve! Achieve!

That raises the question, what exactly is success? Is it trying to be the best at what you do at the risk of being a mess at the end of every day?

I tend to agree with Michael Carroll, author of Awake at Work and The Mindful Leader, who defines success as effectively getting from point A to point B with greater ease about being who you are, where you are.

Sometimes it's really good to build little breaks throughout the day that are about stopping what we're doing and recalibrating the way we're doing it.

One great way is through the STOP practice. This is all about taking a break, steadying your mind, becoming aware of yourself in the moment and proceeding with more intention. Sprinkle this a few times throughout the day.

You can watch a video of it right here.

In doing this you can break out of your habitual patterns that may really not be serving you. They may be leading to some sense of achievement, but perhaps there's a way for you to be even more effective and come out the other end a bit saner.

Try it out a few times a day and see what happens.

As always, please share your thoughts, questions and stories below. What helps you? Your interactions here provide a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and conducts a private practice in West Los Angeles. He is co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (New Harbinger, February 2010).

Check out Dr. Goldstein's acclaimed CD's on Mindful Solutions for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Mindful Solutions for Addiction and RelapsePrevention, and Mindful Solutions for Success and Stress Reduction at Work. -- "They are so relevant, I have marked them as one of my favorites on a handout I give to all new clients" ~ Psychiatrist.

If you're wanting an interactive program to find relief from anxiety and stress, check out Dr. Goldstein's progressive online behavioral change program in Aliveworld.

If you're wanting to integrate more mindfulness into your daily life, sign up for his Mindful Living Twitter Feed. Dr. Goldstein is also available for private psychotherapy.

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terrific column - Chuck Rockey - Nov 19th 2009

Once agian a terrific column - thanks Elisha!

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