How to Tell the Difference Between Good Stress and Bad Stress in Business

The leader of an organization is going to be dealing with stress. However, the more useful question isn’t how to eliminate stress, but how to identify what kind of stress you’re in.

How to Recognize Good Stress

Good stress brings more focus and intentionality. It helps define the problem and provides inspiration, as it’s challenging.

When doing something you love, you may still be stressed by scheduling or by getting something done on time, but you’re enjoying what you’re doing.

Those are the signs of good stress.

How to Recognize Bad Stress

Bad stress shows up as worry, anger, and uncertainty.

A lot of times bad stress emerges from believing stories we’re telling about ourselves, repeated so much that they become truth. Additionally, bad stress comes from worry over things completely out of one’s control, and can also stem from doing work you hate, often leading to burnout.

Three Strategies for Dealing with Stress

1. Make a plan

Sit down and prioritize, recognizing that one can’t solve and fix all the things for all the people.

Think about your big goals, your vision, your mission, and use that to drive your priorities.

If stress is coming from role responsibilities you don’t enjoy, recognize that it’s not your strong suit and make a plan to meet with someone who finds joy in the work that you can’t find.

2. Have the Hard Conversation

Be honest about whether planning or avoiding is the source of stress. Usually, the delay comes down to not having the courage to have a difficult conversation with a family member or an employee. Completing and resolving the conversation often relieves the stress by taking away the uncertainty.

3. Talk to Somebody

There’s an old cliché that says you can’t read the label from inside the bottle. This is why outside perspective is valuable. In many cases, all it takes is some clarity and reframing to shift from bad stress to good stress.

For additional information on identifying and managing good and bad stress, read the original article found on the Ferguson Alliance website.