By Sherif Attar
In a world of ever-changing ambiguity and uncertainty, executives have to face two challenges: excellent performance and people development. Where many managers think those endeavours are “competing”, this author believes they are “completing”. GET DOWN TO BUSINESS argues.
Adapted from Marlena Batchelor
Top business leaders make small tweaks to their day in order to effectively manage their stress over the long-term.
Fast-paced high-pressure environments are fast becoming the norm in the workplace. Throw a global crisis into the mix and it’s no wonder burnout is escalating.
While it can be easy to overwork, the accompanying stress can cause sleepless nights and other physical complaints. Highly effective leaders know this and take steps to ensure that their never-ending to-do lists have built-in practices that help them to better manage their stress.
From therapeutic baths and music hobbies to two-minute breathing exercises, no two leaders are the same in how they manage stress. Their consistent rituals and techniques are a testimony to the idea that small incremental habits can be life-changing.
With the World Health Organisation defining burnout as “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” taking matters into our own hands by identifying and handling our stressors is critical.
High-quality work and peak productivity are hampered by feelings of burnout regardless of how ambitious our goals are. Let those words sink in as you become acquainted with the inspirational stress-busting tips from the most influential figures of our time.
Barack Obama
Running a nation is certainly not an easy task for anyone. His daily ritual of walking for one minute at the beginning and end of each day granted him a chance to mentally prepare for what awaited him.
“On the way back to the residence in the evenings, I’d use the time to clear my mind, anticipating my dinner with Michelle and the girls, and an exuberant greeting from the dogs,”.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Goop Founder, whose business revolves around self-care and wellness, insists the secret to a good night’s sleep is a bath at night.
According to Dr Bobby Buka, dermatologist, our skin releases endorphins in the presence of warm water.
“I’ve always been a big bath person, but this bath has become even more critical over the last few months,” Paltrow admitted during the height of the Covid-19.
The entrepreneur turned to the expertise of her acupuncturist in curating the perfect therapeutic bath, which comprises chia seeds, passionflower, valerian root as well as wild-crafted frankincense and myrrh.
For mother-of-two Paltrow, her daily bathing ritual is a symbolic gesture of washing the day off.“I got really into taking them when I was 22 and shooting Emma in London,” she explains. “I fell in love with the ritual of it – lighting a candle and having a (drink).”
Richard Branson
The British billionaire and Virgin Group Co-Founder dedicates 60 minutes of his day to his health, even if this means waking up at five in the morning to play tennis. Without this regular physical workout, Branson wouldn’t be able to perform as well as he does.
“The only reason I’m able to do all the things I do and to keep on top of a busy schedule without getting too stressed is because I stay fit,” Branson says.
Exercise makes our brains more resilient to stress and less likely for it to interfere with our normal brain function.
Jeff Bezos
For Amazon’s Founder and Executive Chair, stress comes about when we fail to take action when it is necessary. He describes this as a thought that looms in the back of your mind and must be addressed for the stress to dissipate.
“The mere fact that we’re addressing it dramatically reduces any stress that might come from it,” Bezos reflects.
For questions or suggestions, please send your comments.
Sherif Attar, an independent management consultant/trainer and organisation development authority, delivers seminars in the US, Europe, Middle East and the Far East.
