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Reducing Job Stress

Everyone feels some job related stress and credit professionals may experience more stress than the typical worker because the decisions they make can have a direct effect on the company's profitability, and any errors made are visible to anyone who cares to look for them.  Here are some ideas to reduce stress:

  • Make sure you know what your boss expects.  Misunderstandings lead to job stress - or worse.
  • Prioritize your work based on management's expectations and management's priorities.
  • Communicate clearly.  Doing so saves time and avoids time-wasting misunderstandings.
  • Inform your manager in advance if you are not going to be able to meet a goal.
  • Make certain the goals established for you and for your department are achievable and relevant.
  • Prioritize your daily tasks --- but try to establish a daily 'Must Do' list rather than a 'To Do' list.
  • Delegate work to your subordinates to give you the time you need to concentrate on high priority tasks.
  • Also, ask for support from your manager whenever you need help.
  • Keep a journal of your accomplishments and your achievements because employers usually do a great job of documenting what went wrong but spend little or no time documenting what went right.
  • Send a quarterly summary to your manager outlining your accomplishments.
  • Count to ten before responding in a stressful situation.
  • Get more rest.  A well-rested credit professional is better able to make difficult decisions, deal with stress, and manage multiple and competing priorities.
  • Try not to stress over issues and problems that are beyond your control.

Copyright 2008 by Michael C. Dennis.  All Rights Reserved.