Stress is unavoidable—it’s part of being human. But how you handle it can either propel you forward or leave you feeling stuck. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been exploring how to reframe stress to optimise performance, build resilience, and create a life you’re excited to lead.
One of the biggest insights? Stress doesn’t have to hold you back. It can be a tool for growth.
When managed well, good stress—often called eustress—can boost motivation, focus, and performance. It pushes you to step outside your comfort zone and achieve peak performance. But when stress becomes chronic or unmanaged, it shifts into distress, clouding your ability to think clearly, make decisions, or move forward. This happens because stress hormones suppress the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for rational thought and problem-solving.
In this state, you’re more reactive than proactive—constantly putting out fires instead of pursuing long-term goals. Add to that the emotional toll of unresolved stress, and it’s easy to see how it can spiral into burnout or even health problems. I know this firsthand, having faced early-onset heart disease due to prolonged stress.
So, how do you turn stress into an asset rather than a roadblock?
Make Stress Count: Embrace stress that arises from meaningful pursuits, like chasing a passion or achieving a milestone. Purposeful stress adds value to your life rather than draining you.
Mitigate Reactive Stress: Build routines and habits that keep you ahead of the curve. This reduces stress from being in constant firefighting mode.
Leverage Stress for Resilience: When designed correctly, stress can help improve your response to future challenges.
Now, as we approach 2025, it’s the perfect time to channel this perspective into purposeful goals. Goals give direction to your energy, create boundaries for your focus, and help you balance urgency with intention. By setting specific and meaningful goals, you can build a life that excites you, even if it includes a little stress along the way.
Let’s use the coming year to not just manage stress but to leverage it as fuel for growth and success.
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⏩ Join the Conversation – What are you mechanisms for managing stress?
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Stress is unavoidable—it’s part of being human. But how you handle it can either propel you forward or leave you feeling stuck. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been exploring how to reframe stress to optimise performance, build resilience, and create a life you’re excited to lead.
One of the biggest insights? Stress doesn’t have to hold you back. It can be a tool for growth.
When managed well, good stress—often called eustress—can boost motivation, focus, and performance. It pushes you to step outside your comfort zone and achieve peak performance. But when stress becomes chronic or unmanaged, it shifts into distress, clouding your ability to think clearly, make decisions, or move forward. This happens because stress hormones suppress the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for rational thought and problem-solving.
In this state, you’re more reactive than proactive—constantly putting out fires instead of pursuing long-term goals. Add to that the emotional toll of unresolved stress, and it’s easy to see how it can spiral into burnout or even health problems. I know this firsthand, having faced early-onset heart disease due to prolonged stress.
So, how do you turn stress into an asset rather than a roadblock?
Make Stress Count: Embrace stress that arises from meaningful pursuits, like chasing a passion or achieving a milestone. Purposeful stress adds value to your life rather than draining you.
Mitigate Reactive Stress: Build routines and habits that keep you ahead of the curve. This reduces stress from being in constant firefighting mode.
Leverage Stress for Resilience: When designed correctly, stress can help improve your response to future challenges.
Now, as we approach 2025, it’s the perfect time to channel this perspective into purposeful goals. Goals give direction to your energy, create boundaries for your focus, and help you balance urgency with intention. By setting specific and meaningful goals, you can build a life that excites you, even if it includes a little stress along the way.
Let’s use the coming year to not just manage stress but to leverage it as fuel for growth and success.
________________________________________
⏩ Join the Conversation – What are you mechanisms for managing stress?
🔁 Hit the notification icon to get notified of new content
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