My return to the gym has brought back to my mind the importance of knowing your limits. While this is important in the gym, to prevent injury and maintain progress, it is equally important at work. The reason for that is because stress is associated with nearly all illnesses, either as a cause or an aggravator. The thing is, though, that people generally tend to stress about the same things: money, family, work.
There are lots of articles and professionals who will tell you all sorts of exercises and such you absolutely must do to overcome stress and stay healthy, but for me it comes down to two things: counting to 10 if I'm aggravated, and knowing my limits.
These two principals manifest themselves in lots of ways. If I'm sent a snooty email, receive criticism, or given instructions, I pause, digest the information for a few seconds, and only then move forward. It's a tiny delay but it makes a big difference, especially if you're like me and your first instinct response has gotten you in trouble in the past!
The other principle, knowing my limits, plays more specifically towards time management. You don't have to say yes to every damn thing that passes your desk, every favour to a friend, every chore at home. Prioritize, and develop a schedule that will allow you to take whatever time is necessary to get the job(s) done and done right. Anything else needs to be shelved, delegated, or scrapped. Just knowing you have the time you need to complete the tasks at hand can be such a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.
Now I'll be heading off to stretch, as I overdid it in the gym, and then foolishly went back for more.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS. Or suffer the consequences like me.
