All people experience stress in their daily lives. If your stress level is too high, it may be due to driving yourself too hard.
Do you find yourself stressed, overwhelmed, irritable? Are you working to exhaustion, yet still not enjoying a sense of accomplishment? It may be that you are just trying too hard. Give yourself a break. Set realistic goals and reward yourself each time your reach one.
Measure Your Expectations
Having unrealistic expectations is the surest way to set yourself up for disappointment. Setting impossible goals for yourself will not only doom you to failure, it will also insure that you constantly increase your level of stress.
Make sure each of your goals is within your reach and is possible to achieve with your current skills, talents, and resources. You may need to lower the bar, or at least make adjustments that will make your goals possible.
Instead of saying "I'm going to be a millionaire within 5 years," change the goal to "I'm going to be more successful than I have ever been within the next 5 years."
Break Goals Down into Manageable Milestones
If a goal will take longer than one year to achieve, break it down into mini goals. For example, if you plan to start your own business within the next two years, break that goal down into a plan that allows for smaller, more quickly achieved goals over that time period.
Vow to take a small business course within the first year. Decide that you will educate yourself as to which licenses, permits, or other paperwork is required and will begin the process in the first few months. Start saving money for these licenses over the next six months. Choose a name for your company in the following months and begin deciding on logos, colors, and layouts for advertising in the months after that. If you need loans or investors, or are considering a professional consultation, begin seeking assistance as soon as possible.
If a Certain Goal Cannot Be Realized, Move On
If for some reason a goal cannot be accomplished within your allotted timeframe, either give yourself an extension, or move on. Do not stress over that goal. Start over and allow yourself a more realistic timeframe, or try something completely different.
Failure is part of the learning process. Goals will not always be met but that does not mean you should give up or punish yourself. Just get busy working on your next goal.
If You Need Help, Ask For It
There is nothing wrong with admitting you cannot do everything yourself. Seek help; consult with others that have knowledge in the area of your goals, read books, or network and barter with other people. You may even need to enlist professional help.
Knowing your limitations, being able to admit them, and finding someone to help are the best ways to avoid undue stress when trying to manage your goals.
Reward Yourself Each Time You Reach a Goal
A small reward will help motivate you to continue meeting your goals. You will develop a sense of purpose and accomplishment each time you check another item off your list.
Also, reward yourself by letting supportive friends and family members know how you are doing. A good pat on the back can't hurt.
