12 Actionable Ways to Turn Stress into Success
You are probably already aware of the fact that stress drains your energy and depletes your emotional reserves. But knowing it doesn't help you stop it. So how do you reduce stress and get more done?
We perceive stress as something to avoid at all costs. Indeed, leaving stress unchecked is potentially harmful. But on a daily basis, stress is unavoidable. Moreover, with practical strategies at hand, stress can be turned into success.
Or, as American entrepreneur Bill Phillips brilliantly put it:
Stress should be a powerful driving force, not an obstacle.
However, it is easier said than done. For most of us, having stress means a constant barrage of self-doubt, confusion, refuting one’s own ideas, and ensuring that we slow down in our life path, even when we were walking in the right direction.
Nobody said that success is easy to come by, but by taking time to clear our minds, we can shift attention from past mistakes to what we have in front of us right now and accomplish more.
In doing so, we can amend the previous course of action and concentrate on the present.
There is no magic in turning your stress into success, – rather, there are actionable ways and techniques to follow. Here are our top 12 ways, if acted upon, can convert your stress and anxiety towards mental peace and success⭐
Be Ready for Change
Over the course of time, everything goes through a change. Whether it is a business or a human being, they all go through ebbs and flows, highs, and lows. It is something no one can quite control.
When you are mentally able to get ready for them, your belief shifts from someone who is panicking to someone who is fully capable of dealing with the changes and can shift it towards something positive.
A quote to live by
Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., points out that a proactive attitude to change is one of the most effective stress relievers:
Making some changes to your daily habits could be instrumental in helping you feel better.
Veronica Miller, Digital Marketing & Growth Director at VPNoverview says:
Simply looking at things from a different perspective can alleviate some stress in some situations. This includes the location of your seat, the items on your desk, and engaging in conversation with new people. If you are next to a window that is always closed, consider opening it. If you have a window that lets in some sunlight and there is space on your desk, you should get a plant since it can even filter out some of the toxins that are in the air. If you realize that there is not enough space on your desk for a plant, clean it. There are many ways to change the environment to relieve stress. These simple adjustments have a positive impact on productivity.
The top way to reduce stress
Take some time out from your schedule, whether it's every day or once every week, to create a list of significant changes which you think can possibly happen.
It will open your mind to the possibilities and sharpen your ability to spot and react accordingly to impending changes.
Disconnect to Refocus and Recharge
We have been told that life is no picnic a million times. Such a phrase may form subconscious blocks causing our inability to act and be prone to despair and anxiety.
In actuality, every situation will have a lot of space to build our positivity.
Indeed, in most cases, it is how we are able to react to those negative events that will define our future.
A quote to live by
Arianna Huffington was the first to claim our right to disconnect to minimize the negative impact of information and cognitive overload:
Disconnecting from our technology to reconnect with ourselves is absolutely essential for wisdom.
The top way to reduce stress
Write down all of your positive ways in which a negative situation can be remedied, and you will come to a realization that such opportunities and strengths exist which can be utilized to minimize the repercussions of most events.
Another step to take to have a clearer view is:
- leaving the house without your cell phone
- refraining from checking your email for an entire weekend
Overall, establishing certain limits for yourself such as not checking your email after the clock strikes 6 o'clock in the evening or shutting off your laptop and the television one hour before you go to bed can make wonders when it comes to stress management and recharge.
Re-write Your Mode of Thinking
We have all grown accustomed to a type of thinking which may prevent us from moving out of our comfort zone.
There are expected situations that have already been predetermined by our brain to consider as to how we should be reacting, and this is not necessarily the best idea.
A quote to live by
In his best-selling book Rewire Your Brain: Think Your Way to a Better Life, John B. Arden stated:
Not only does behavior change the structure of the brain through neuroplasticity; just thinking about or imagining particular behaviors can change brain structure as well.
Joe Troyer, CEO & Growth Advisor of Review Grower says:
Even though I'm not a professional content writer, I manage my stress by writing blogs on how I manage my stress. I would suggest writing about the things in your life that stress you and the ways in which you cope with them. By doing this, you are sure to have many takers in a similar situation, which represents a huge potential audience.
The top way to reduce stress
Try to make a list of instances where you had reacted to a challenging time based on your normal thinking and write down what you should have done which could have led to better results.
Following these simple tips can give you an idea of how you are going through a stressful time. Staying mindful leads to developing a positive mindset and resilience that are essential in building stress-beating coping strategies.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
Because of your habitual negative self-talk, you could be assuming negative motivations toward individuals who have good intentions, you may think of yourself as less able to deal with life's challenges, and you may notice only the worst aspects of the situations you find yourself in while there may be a much less stressful "bright side."
A quote to live by
Sumit Bansal, an online entrepreneur from New Delhi, India, believes:
The way you talk to yourself, how you interpret the environment around you, and how you relate to your inner self, can have a significant impact on your stress levels in a variety of ways.
The top way to reduce stress
As mentioned before, blaming yourself incessantly for your mistakes and failures will not only drain your reserves but also break you down. The longer you will remain in self-sabotaging mood, the more power you give to negativity.
Hence, in order to have a leash on such thoughts, it is always useful to have them written down as a way of exercising brain dumping for getting a clearer vision. Not to open gates for self-judgemental patterns, consider your level of presence and the effort you are putting forth.
Appreciate What You Have
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and having it reduced to a manageable range can improve your mood and spike productivity.
A quote to live by
Oprah Winfrey who initiated the idea of the Journal of Gratitude famously said:
You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you're aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots.
The top way to reduce stress
Whenever you are stuck in a fix, think about all the things you should be thankful for, and whether this particular stress-inducing problem is going to eat all the positive things by which you are surrounded.
Develop and cultivate an attitude of gratitude by journaling and staying connected with people you love. This way, you ensure that you build an optimistic outlook that will be helpful whenever you are facing a problem.
Differ Good Stress from Bad Stress
Is there even good stress to begin with? Let us explain. Stress, in many cases, ignites a 'fight or flight' mode of operation.
A healthy amount of stress is short-term, and it creates a sense of focus and reinforces your concentration on performance. Stress that's bad for you, on the other hand, wears you out and causes harm to your health, which leads to increased anxiety and decreases personal productivity.
A quote to live by
An American novelist Josiah Gilbert Holland offered a great reminder for efficient stress management:
Calmness is the cradle of power.
The top way to reduce stress
You should begin by making preparations to ensure your well-being and stability in the future. Be aware of stressors in your surrounding. Consider coping strategies. Create 'emergency energy savings' and use the time resources you have for your benefit (simply put, invest in your health and wealth).
Boost Your Motivation
As an old adage goes: “Success breeds success.” Why not give it a try by surrounding yourself with people whose success inspires and encourages positive action?
Besides, success-oriented people often use stress in a positive way to inspire change and activity. Learning from them can be motivating in pursuit of our own dreams.
A quote to live by
Najwa Zebian, an author and top speaker poetically described the way that successful people choose at times of difficulty:
These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.
The top way to reduce stress
The circle of friends and family with whom we choose to surround ourselves has a significant influence on ideas, actions, and moods. In many ways, the key to being successful in business is the same as the key to being successful in any other element of life.
Choose those who believe in you and whose example makes you feel motivated, – this is a sure way of reducing day-to-day stress to a healthier level.
Move Away from the Nay-Sayers
Along with people who encompass a clear vision and positive thinking, there are the nay-sayers and perpetual doubters, who would try to pull you down. Their intentions can vary, but this can potentially derail you from your track.
A quote to live by
Arnold Schwarzenegger who reached peaks in sports, politics, and movies said:
If I would have listened to the naysayers, I would still be in the Austrian Alps yodeling.
The top way to reduce stress
By taking back the ownership and creating accountability, you manage your stress and sharpen your focus. Diminish the potential harm of people who stop you rather than support you.
Remember Your “Why”
When we are going through a tough time, we tend to forget that there was a purpose. Meanwhile, thinking long-term and seeing the big picture can help you overcome your stress and re-align you with your ultimate vision.
A quote to live by
Kenny Kline, Co-Founder and President of BarBend said:
One of the most essential steps you can take in your life is to figure out why you're doing what you're doing. Your Why is the driving force behind everything you do, even why you drag yourself out of bed in the morning... So whenever I'm feeling discouraged or stressed, I always remind myself of the reason why I started my journey.
The top way to reduce stress
Re-aligning your thoughts can be the first step in building yourself up after being barraged by negativity.
Prioritize Routines
If you can streamline your day, your focus should be to reduce as many decisions as possible that you have to take to get through the day.
In order to do this, you would have to establish a routine and try to stick to it. There is no magic, – just ensure that you are able to do it at the same time, every day!
A quote to live by
Joe Troyer, CEO & Founder of Digital Triggers says:
Adjust your daily activities so that you have time to relax. If you are unable to spare a half-hour to an hour, at the very least try to break up your day with some shorter breaks... If you adhere to the timetable, you will acquire the skills necessary to make the most of the limited amount of time you have.
The top way to reduce stress
Aim at less draining decision-making by planning ahead, tracking your time, and analyzing how you utilize it. This way, your decisions will be better-informed and aimed toward your targets.
Take Breaks
When you take a break from your work, what do you normally do? Do you start scrolling through your social media, play mobile games, or take a walk?
A quote to live by
Maya Angelou in Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now pointed out:
Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.
The top way to reduce stress
For taking a productive break, consider slowing down to release your worries. Think of activities that can actually elevate you. Experience shows that by exploring new hobbies and doing something you enjoy, your energy levels recover faster.
Forget "Perfection"
It might sound like a cliche but we are all just a work in progress. This means, that in our pursuit of perfection we must embrace the complexities of growth: we evolve from not just our success, but from our failures and other experiences as well.
A quote to live by
Speaking of a strive for perfection, we should keep in mind words attributed to Vince Lombardi that strike a balance between ambitions and natural limitations:
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
The top way to reduce stress
Failing to accept limitations will make you become stagnated.
Another actionable way of reducing stress is to stop comparing yourself with your peers, – otherwise, any mistake can seem like a setback and cause anxiety and stress. Instead, compare yourself-of-today with yourself-of-yesterday.
How have you improved? What have you learned? In your progress, you will realize that you have grown in spite of the setbacks, which will help you relax, calm down, and focus on your goals.
Author Bio🌟
Kruti Shah is a content writer and marketer at The Marketing Drama.
She loves to write about insights on current trends in Technology, Business, and Marketing. In her free time, she loves baking and watching Netflix.
You can connect with her on LinkedIn.