Dr. Brendel, who works as a career consultant and philosophical counselor, recommends three modes of managing stress through self-awareness, according to the Harvard Business Review.
1. Remember your core strengths and resources. Instead of panicking when confronted with a tough situation, Dr. Brendel suggests focusing on ultimate life goals and utilizing existing skills to achieve them. Then, “humbly seek and accept help from others [and] maintain an open mind about next steps.”
2. Think about your life philosophy. By asking his clients open-ended questions about their life philosophy, Dr. Brendel helps them “define the fundamental values and goals that underlie their careers and personal life decisions.” By developing and clarifying a life philosophy, people can define how to embrace goals and values despite stressful situations.
3. Engage in self-reflection daily. Whether by journaling or finding a specific time to reflect, making self-reflection a daily habit can provide a way to build up calming techniques during stressful times. “Everyone can benefit from this kind of disciplined and sustained self-reflection — both as a good thing in itself and as a powerful stress management tool,” wrote Dr. Brendel.
More articles on leadership:
The art of stopping
Leader to leader tip: Turn challenges into opportunities — and stay caffeinated
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