Here's how you can balance stress and well-being in a problem-solving profession.

As a Nigerian residing in Nigeria, stress is a constant part of daily life😄. It's essential to acknowledge this and set clear boundaries, knowing when to rest, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy social outings.

In my experience, developing personal resilience, crucial for performing well at work and enjoy personal space, required discipline, focus, and ongoing practice. In high-stress projects, prioritizing self-care—even if for few minutes a day—along with good sleep, hydration, breathing exercises, reducing social media use, soaking up morning sunlight, and embracing family love, has been beneficial. It's also been important to manage the expectations of loved ones and ensure a supportive network is available when needed. For those early in their problem-solving careers, learning to manage work well without taking things personally, being open about personal boundaries, and understanding what matters, is also immensely helpful.

I think it's important to start by dispelling a certain myth regarding stress: that it's inherently "bad." A healthy amount of stress increases productivity and motivation. When stress turns to mental health challenges, that's an indication to take a step back and evaluate your priorities. Even before then, it's important to recognize the early warning signs of negative stress. Today's flow of work really does make it impossible to "balance" stress with well-being. We're always online, always connected. However, we can integrate our personal priorities into our daily work to maintain healthy relationships, bolster our well-being, and leverage stress to get the job done.

Implementar estratégias pode ajudar a manter um equilíbrio saudável entre o estresse e o bem-estar, permitindo que você continue a resolver problemas de forma eficaz, segue algumas : pratique técnicas como meditação e respiração, estabeleça limites, exercício regular, alimentação saudável, gerencie o tempo e faça pausas regulares.

Balancing stress and well-being in a problem-solving profession requires a proactive approach. Implement structured routines that include regular breaks and prioritize tasks to manage workload effectively. Foster a supportive work environment where open communication and collaboration are encouraged. Practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or exercise to maintain mental clarity. Delegate tasks to leverage your team's strengths, ensuring no one is overburdened. Set boundaries to protect personal time, promoting a healthy work-life balance. By integrating these strategies, you can sustain high performance while maintaining your well-being and setting a positive example for your team. #IMAGOFY

I disagree with the conventional “balance” sentiments… my phone is almost always on, and I’ve answered my phone in the middle of the night. But, you need to know your limits… and those will vary widely depending on whether or not you’re passionate about your role, or not. There are seasons of life where that balance will shift, but if you don’t love your job… talk to your HR department.

Use the options offered by the tools. - With iPhone, use the automatic focus control. During the day you are there for business, before and after that only private calls go through - Set automatic message pauses in messenger tools - Use appointment blocks in Outlook - etc.

Depending on your role, do not assume you have all of the applicable information needed to properly prioritize when you have more work than time… understand the WHY, and understand every stakeholder affected by your decision… it’s important to be decisive, but it’s ok to request help… most organizations have a flow chart that will allow for temporary redistribution of resources to cover almost any role that becomes overwhelmed.

Write a list at the end of the working day: What is important, what is urgent and what can be delegated. This way, you are prepared for the next day and can prioritize and focus on your tasks.

It's not for nothing that many ideas come to you while you're on the toilet or in the shower. Change the environment to give your brain new stimuli.

Let’s solve this problem also with problem solving methodology, haha! Sometimes the more stressed we feel, the more we tend to put things off. Learning how to break down bigger topics or problems into smaller steps is a great strategy. For example, if you feel overwhelmed by an assignment, break the task into more manageable parts that way its easy to get started.

Stress, will forever be a constant… in one form or another. Break down your circle of influence vs your circle of concern: as your resilience fades, tighten the concern(s) to be contained within the circle of influence. Prioritize the action item that is within your control, accordingly against your priorities… delegate instead of neglect, whenever possible… and weigh short term gains/consequences against the long term ones, with their implications towards your larger business model/agenda.

To balance stress and well-being in a problem-solving profession: 1. Manage Time: Prioritize tasks and set realistic deadlines. 2. Work-Life Balance: Set boundaries and make time for relaxation. 3. Stress-Reduction Techniques: Practice mindfulness and regular exercise. 4. Seek Support: Reach out to colleagues or professionals when needed. 5. Continuous Learning: Keep up with industry developments to boost confidence. 6. Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, sleep, and exercise. 7. Reflect and Adapt: Regularly assess and adjust your workload and strategies. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance both your problem-solving effectiveness and overall well-being.