How to Minimize Your Stress at Work Right Now
Introduction
It’s Thursday, and the end of the week is quickly approaching. For some of you, you’re eagerly eyeing the weekend. For the rest, your head is probably ready to spin off trying to complete your endless list of random personal and professional responsibilities. While I’d love to discuss the anxiety and frustration you’re going through with a mile-long monologue, you really need a game plan instead. Here’s my no-nonsense approach to handling your anxiety and achieving your list today.
Organize your list based on priority.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Before you dive into the nitty-gritty of your list, you need to prioritize! If you’re like me, you justify cleaning your desk, answering 48 non-important emails, and brushing your teeth (again) to avoid what you need to do. Half the time, the root of my anxiety stems from an unconscious shout (reminder) about the tasks I need to tackle. Are you listening to yourself??? Quit wasting time. Tackle the most time-sensitive, essential projects first.
2. Don’t add fuel to the fire.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Would you ever add fuel to a blazing campfire? Hopefully not…That fire is already blazing. Then, why would you drink more coffee or black tea when you’re already stressed and anxious? You’re just heightening an already unstable state and increasing your chances of less focus and productivity. Your creative ability could end up stunted as well (while you fly across the room). Create the mindset and physical comfort to patiently, yet aggressively, check off your list. Save the caffeine for a time when you really need it.
3. Read your random text messages, social media streams, and personal emails for 3 minutes at the top of each hour (and no other time)
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Honestly, I’m already assuming you’re addicted to checking text messages, social media, and personal emails. Please don’t deny it. In fact, you may be reading this article from your phone right now (I’m not judging). Have you calculated how many minutes you spend on these distractions? I think it’s time. Starting now, record the time you spend in the next 24 hours. The tally will probably shock you. Although I don’t expect you to stop these indulgences, I think it’s time to set boundaries. You don’t have time to check Facebook every 15 minutes when you’re trying to finish a PowerPoint presentation. You’re splitting your attention each time and siphoning off your creative juices with witty comments and emojis on random social media posts (not important). By the time you return to your work, you need to review and refocus (such a time waster). Set an alarm on your phone and then jump into your project fully. Give in to your addiction when you’ve completed your homework like a good boy or girl, or at least wait until the end of the hour.
4. Return to simple
Personal Trainer Wisdom: When life is complicated and stressful, what should you do? Simplify. Always simplify. It should be your first response. Are you taking on responsibilities that a colleague can manage? Pass it on. Are you scheduling unnecessary meetings while you have other pressing projects on the go? Reschedule them for next week. Remove the unnecessary and complicated, and narrow your focus (a recurring theme here).
5. Rewrite your process(es)
Personal Trainer Wisdom: More often than not, anxiety stems from inefficiency in one of your personal or professional processes. When dealing with the less important stuff, create a mindless, predictable routine to minimize decision fatigue. I tend to wake up, eat, and go to bed at the same time each day. What daily requirements need more routine in your life? You want to minimize chaos in your life. Take control of these little processes too.
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.
If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
