Stress Analysis

What do the Surveys Tell Us about Work Life Balance?

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Knowing where you are is the only way to get somewhere else

Before you can take action to improve your stress levels, it is important to perform a stress analysis. This will tell you where you are right now. How do you feel about work? Do you have any balance? Are you completely stressed out?

Understanding the situation and knowing that you are not alone in your feelings is very helpful when deciding what actions to take to rectify stressful situations.

Analysing your current work life balance situation will raise your understanding of where you want to be. As the old saying goes “If you do not know where you came from, you cannot know where you are going.”

The knowledge of where you are now will be crucial to your achievements in your quest for a good work life balance.

What Do Stress Analysis Surveys Say?

Several stress analysis surveys have outlined results regarding how we feel about our work. Do you see yourself in any of the following?

  • Are you one of the eight out of ten workers who felt that they could not cope with the demands made of them, at least some of the time?
  • Are you one of the many workers, over half of those surveyed, who enjoyed the challenges of their jobs, and made sure work did not dominate their lives?
  • Have you suffered ill health as a result of your work, as over half of the survey participants had?
  • Did increasing the amount of control you had over your working life help to reduce your stress levels?
  • Do you have an effective work life balance? Over a third of the respondents to stress analysis surveys agreed they had a good work life balance.
  • Do you constantly berate your boss and your organisation when it comes to communication with your co-workers and the senior management teams? Over 50% stated communication was the biggest barrier to work life balance.

The above findings of stress analysis surveys are excellent examples of the varied responses people give. Many of us,over 50%, do indeed have a good work life balance.

And many of us—80%—have felt under pressure due to the demands of our jobs.

Never mind location, location, location, as the most popular three-word phrase in the world. Clearly, we need communication, communication, communication, with over half of us experiencing communication as the biggest barrier organisations need to overcome if they are to truly empower their workforce.

The Danger Signs – What to Look Out For!

Stress analysis is all about being aware of the danger signs—knowing what to look out for.

  • HEADLESS CHICKEN – Have you lost perspective? Are you unfocused? Running around struggling to complete tasks?
  • FIRE FIGHTER – Do you feel pulled from one urgent task to another, attempting to resolve each problem before it gets out of control?
  • ZOMBIES – Lack of sleep, arriving late for work, feeling tired, unable to concentrate? These are some of the common early warning signs of stress.
  • GRIZZLY BEAR – Constantly touchy and or irritable? Are you prone to mood swings, easily upset, easily angered? Are you battling with overload?
  • JUGGLERS – Trying to keep up with family commitments and a demanding job? Undertaking studies? Are you vulnerable to stress from the constant struggle to keep up?
  • LONG LOST FRIEND – Are you returning to work after a long absence or career break? New surroundings and new working practices can take their toll!
  • GROUND COVER – Are staff shortages resulting in you covering two jobs? You are a prime candidate for stress! Not only will you have too much on your plate, you are likely to have too many plates!
  • MOVING ON UP – A promotion. Stepping up into management for the first time. These situations can be very hectic. Although a learning curve is expected, a move up can be daunting and may affect your confidence. You may also fall prey to the stress of overwork as you strive to impress in your new position.

The truth is, we will all at some point experience one or more of these behaviours in our working lives.Serious, health affecting problems result when we suffer for prolonged periods. It’s just not necessary!

After Stress Analysis – Action Steps

So how do you fix the situation? Change can be managed through a mix of practical techniques and psychological techniques.

Coaching and Training programs are ideal settings for resolving issues such as those outlined above, individually or in groups.

To find out more about how coaching can help you to overcome these behaviours—and stress in general—feel free to contact us here at Three Cornerstones Coaching.

Begin to put an end to work associated stress today. Be aware of the warning signs, perform a regular stress analysis, take action when you feel overwhelmed, and always talk to someone within your organisation – the responsibility for resolution is a joint responsibility.