Closing your integrity gaps

By on April 1, 2011

Stress has become such a common part of life, that people are often not even aware how high their level of stress might be. No matter where you live, answering the following questions will provide you with insight into where you sit on the stress continuum.

 

Use the following scale to assign yourself points on each question and then add up the numbers for your overall score: 

 

1 = Never

2 = Seldom

3 = Sometimes

4 = Often

5 = Always

 

– I spend 50 hours or more at work each week (include time spent commuting)

– I have difficulty getting adequate sleep, exercise, hydration and/or nutrition.

– I feel depressed, exhausted and/or overwhelmed when I think of all I have to do at work and/or at home.

– I feel like I have little or no control over the demands placed on me at home and/or work.

– I feel that I am not meeting my responsibilities at home and/or work.

– I neglect taking time for myself (for recreation, relaxation, quiet time or self-care).

 

What your score means:

 

24-30 Meltdown Waiting to Happen

While it may seem like you are getting by, you are operating in survival mode – giving all of your energy to your work and/or family and neglecting your own basic needs. If this continues, you are at high risk for depression and stress-related illnesses. Take some time to get clear on your needs and priorities and schedule time to put yourself first and take time to access the many resources that are now available online to help you gain control of your time and your life.

 

15-23 Getting Caught in the Thrill of the Chase

People who score at this level are often striving to advance their career for the increased power, status, recognition or material rewards it brings. As they take on special projects or approach deadlines, they flip between their regular, more balanced work schedule and one that involves long hours and high stress. They justify that they will get back to their healthy routines as soon as the project/deadline is over. This doesn’t always happen. The thrill of achievement can lead to chronic over-commitment. Before they realize it, “down” time between projects becomes almost non-existent, their 60 hour plus workweek becomes a badge of honor, and the joy they used to feel in their work and achievements disappears.

 

14 or less Great…But Will It Last?

If you scored at this level, you likely have developed solid systems, habits and routines for managing the needs and demands of work, family and self. While you may consider yourself to have reasonable life-work balance, if you are not doing work that aligns with your values, utilizes your strengths and provides you with a sense of purpose and meaning, the balance you have established may be shaken up as your natural desire to bring your whole self to work emerges. Heed the quiet whispers that it might be time for a change before they turn into screaming demands.

 

Learning to Thrive

While the above quiz provides an indication of where you may be approaching the danger zone, it does not indicate the competencies necessary to manage stress and thrive over the long-term. To get an indication of your Thrive-Ability, answer yes or no to the following questions:  (Note: any question that is not a 100% yes, is automatically a no).

 

– I am crystal clear on my values and am completely aligned with them in life and work.

– I understand my strengths and use them on a daily basis to energize myself and accomplish my goals with maximum effectiveness, efficiency and enjoyment.

– I have a clear sense of purpose that I connect with on a daily basis to focus and energize my work and to bring meaning to all areas of my life.

– I have a clear vision for my life, work and family and see myself steadily moving towards it.

– I am conscious of my needs and am able to create strategies to meet my needs in ways that align with my values, strengths, purpose and vision.

 

If you answered “no” to the first two questions, refer back to Parts 1 and 2 in this series. If you answered “no” to the last three, watch upcoming issues for more tips on how to master stress and grow your ability to thrive in life and work.

 

Andrea Jacques, founder of Kyosei Consulting International, has spent more than 20 years developing the potential of individuals and organizations worldwide. Five of these were spent in Japan where the core philosophies of her work on the relationship between passion, performance and profits took shape.  A dynamic speaker, coach, and facilitator, her work integrates leading eastern and western thought with top-tier leadership, wellness and sustainability consulting to help individuals and organizations discover and thrive on their passions. Her clients represent a diverse cross-section of industries including banking, retail, government, insurance, academia and high-tech. She can be contacted through her website at www.kyoseiconsulting.com

About Andrea Jacques

Andrea Jacques is the founder of Kyosei Consulting and the author of Wabi-Sabi Wisdom: Inspiration for an Authentic Life (available on Amazon.com). She has spent more than 30 years developing the potential of people and businesses worldwide, five of which were in Japan. A dynamic speaker, coach, and facilitator, her work integrates spiritual insight with top-tier leadership, wellness and sustainability consulting to help individuals and organizations build thriving, purpose-driven cultures where employees know their work truly matters. She can be contacted through her website at www.kyoseiconsulting.com