That Business of Stress…

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…or the stress of that business, as an intimate relationship exists between the two. And with ample justification. How?

Stress is by definition a perception that one’s available resources are insufficient or poorly matched to successfully face a challenge or a threat. Business, by definition, is a purposeful activity or endeavor that is a source of personal concern, usually engaged in as a means of livelihood.

When engaged in a business that is a personal concern, where we may endeavor to earn a living,  and in which our capital resources (our finances, physical and mental abilities, time, image, and self-concept) need to be allocated and expended to adequately meet the demands of the business we are engaged in, the potential for stress is always there.

Stress in business is of the same kind as the threat of a saber-toothed tiger—not the same, but of the same kind. Let’s see how. When face to face with the feline, our body instantly springs into full mobilization mode. The heart rate goes up, respiration increases in depth and frequency, muscles tense, pupils dilate, the stomach contracts, and adrenaline and other excitatory hormones are released into the bloodstream. We are faced with three possible choices: fight, flight or freeze.

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My Role As a Clinically-Trained Coach

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One of the most important goals of coaching, and  one that perhaps is most likely to pay off quickly, is to maximize the effectiveness of  top performers.

Many of the top performing executives I see  may be functioning perfectly well on the technical side, but often not so well on their intrapersonal and interpersonal sides.

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I Can’t Meditate To Save My Life

01740_rockefellersview_2560x1600 Meditation is hard. I get distracted very easily. I start noticing every noise, every wrinkle in my socks, and my stomach starts making the loudest noises. When I try to meditate, it feels like I am trying to stop the earth’s rotation—without any success at all, thank goodness. Too bad, because it’d be good for me… especially when I read the news item that follows.

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I React, Therefore I Am

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I react, therefore I am. In some circumstances, an instantaneous reaction is vital for survival. Imagine the situation of having to step out of the way of an incoming bus. In many other circumstances, however, an instantaneous reaction is not advisable, not appropriate, or not the best possible course of action.

A reaction may be defined as spontaneous and unplanned, too quick and immediate to be fully controllable. We react based on our temperament, our personal history, our experiences, on what we have learned, and on our expectations.

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Live Writer

Tech note: This blog is maintained with Microsoft Live Writer. The platform is by WordPress. I recommend both.

Lore Ipsum Dolor Sit Amet

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If Cicero had a blog… Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum tincidunt, nisl a tempus pulvinar, nisi nunc eleifend lacus, nec dictum turpis metus pharetra ipsum. Curabitur in metus dui. Fusce porttitor lobortis laoreet. Fusce luctus facilisis neque, vel vestibulum ligula placerat quis. Sed eu consequat ipsum. Phasellus gravida faucibus dolor non tincidunt. Curabitur laoreet imperdiet quam nec vehicula. Vestibulum pharetra ullamcorper imperdiet. Donec ac tortor ac purus sagittis vehicula. Pellentesque molestie neque eu elit sollicitudin egestas et vitae nunc. Nullam sed orci id nisl lacinia lacinia in vel metus. Integer tristique luctus consectetur.

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