More stress is better! July 9, 2009
Day to day, I train people to do new things.
Every day is different, and yet every day I’m helping someone break out of their comfort zone, expand their boundaries, learn and grow.
All across the internet you can find articles, posts and comments about how to overcome stress. Thing is, stress is good! The more stress the better!
Well, there is an upper limit. Too much stress can and does kill. As long as you handle the stress, the more the merrier.
Take for example the Olympics. Most, if not all of the world records set are set when the Olympics are on. Combined with the world championship, very few happen elsewhere. Even the athletes so called ‘personal best’ is usually broken when under the pressure of the final. Why is this?
One reason is that stress expands capacity. If you were a body builder and only ever lifter 1kg weights, you’ll rarely reach your full potential. Only when you lift more than before, stretch beyond your best, reach further than before, step outside your comfort zone, add extra stress to your performance do you get better.
Push past your comfort zone regularly. Don’t do it continuously, that’s a sure way to burnout! But push yourself, respond to the demand then relax. The more you can do this, the faster and better you’ll get…
- Posted in : Business, Change, Psychology
- Author : Michael
Comments»
I think your comments about ’stress and relax’ are absolutely correct – as is avoiding burnout.
Everyone’s levels however are different and in many corporate environments, many ‘benchmark’ levels are set which can be painful for those below the average level.
Many good contributors have been lost to organisations as a consequence of what constitutes ‘acceptable’ stress.