by Beth Wolfson
Whether I’m consulting in an organization or sitting next to a talkative stranger on an airplane, I hear the same familiar request or plea:
“I wish things would just go back to normal around here.”
Wishful thinking, huh?
We know that’s not possible, and if we really think about it, “normal” may not have been so great either.
According to the Center for Social Epidemiology, “profound changes occurring in the economic, political, technological, and social landscape have transformed the world.”
In the workplace, lack of control, job insecurity, and increased demands are leading to high rates of elevated work stress.
According to one source:
- 69% of employees report that work is a significant source of stress
- 41% of employees say they typically feel tense or stressed out during the workday
It’s estimated that work-related stress costs over $300 billion per year due to absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, costly mistakes and medical, legal, and insurance costs.
In the early 20th century, William James offered that, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” And Andrew Bernstein reminds us that, “…stress doesn’t come from your boss, your kids, your spouse, traffic jams, health challenges, or other circumstances. It comes from your thoughts about these circumstances.”
Are you or your team experiencing any of these symptoms of workplace stress?
- Feeling out of control due to high work levels, constant changes, or uncertainty
- Increasing negativity and hopelessness
You’re not alone. We can help. We can teach you and your teams how to move from “living in survival to living in creation” in a way that uses our current understanding of neuroscience. When you understand how to master your thoughts, the rest falls into place.