Today is Wednesday, so this post is on outstanding performance.
First however, a correction. In my post on Dottie Walters on Monday, I mentioned that she wrote Speak and Grow Rich. I was in error. Lily Walters, Dottie's daughter was the co-author of Speak and Grow Rich.
Lilly Walters is in the speaking business too. She manages the speaking calendar for Jim Abbott a one handed former major league baseball pitcher for the Angels and Yankees. In addition, she is a leading consultant to professional, public, motivational and business spekaers; as well as lecturers, trainers and seminar leaders. Like her mother, she is an optimist. She lost part of one of her hands in an accident when she was a child. This didn't stop her. She used her experience to help others. Lilly Walters learned to type with one hand and wrote a manual on one hand typing.
On to today's post...
Outstanding performers know how to manage stress. Stress can have a negative effect on high performance. That’s why it’s important to understand the causes of stress and to learn how to manage it well.
Rose Hospital in Denver is where Cathy and I go for our health care needs. Recently, I came across a brief questionnaire published by Rose that designed to help you get a handle on the level of stress in your life.
How Stressed Are You? Amy Scholten, MPH
The statements below are arranged in groups of three. Select one answer which best reflects your situation, and circle the corresponding point value. When you finish, take a look at your score interpretation at the bottom of the page. Please keep in mind that this is a general assessment of your stress levels. Further and more in-depth assessment may be obtained from your health care or mental health care provider.
1. I handle changes with ease.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
2. I take time for myself.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
3. I have stress-related symptoms (i.e. - headache, racing heart, cold hands or feet, inability to concentrate).
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
4. My family is very supportive.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
5. My work is satisfying.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
6. I have trouble sleeping.
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
7. I feel good about myself.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
8. I'm a perfectionist
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
9. I tend to look on the bright side of life.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
10. I'm able to talk about my feelings.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
11. I get impatient and irritable with other drivers.
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
12. I limit my intake of fat, cholesterol and junk food.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
13. I smoke.
• Yes - 10
• No - 1
14. I engage in 30 minute (or longer) sessions of moderate or rigorous exercise.
• At least four times per week - 1
• Three times per week - 5
• Less than three times per week - 10
15. I have conflicts with others.
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
16. I get sick, especially with colds.
• More than three times per year -10
• Between two and three times per year - 5
• Less than twice a year - 1
17. I'm happy with my social life.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
18. I'm happy with where I live.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
19. I'm happy with my partner (or with the fact that I don't have a partner).
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
20. I'm a forgiving person.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
21. I drink caffeinated coffee and/or tea.
• Several times a day - 10
• Once a day - 5
• Rarely or never - 1
22. I have a drink of alcohol (one drink equals 1.5 oz. of spirits; 5 oz. of wine, or 12 oz. of beer)
• Five or more times per day - 10
• Three to four times per day - 5
• Two times per day or less, rarely, or never - 1
23. I feel overwhelmed by all that I have to do.
• Most of the time - 10
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 1
24. I feel calm and relaxed.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
25. I have several good friends I can count on.
• Most of the time - 1
• Some of the time - 5
• Rarely - 10
Total points ____
Personal Stress Level
25 – 50
You are doing an excellent job managing stress. Most likely, you are relaxed, happy and satisfied with your life. Keep up the great work.
51 – 85
You are doing a very good job of managing stress. Most likely, you are positive about your life. There are a few areas where you can improve.
86 – 100
You are doing a good job of managing your stress. You may have a few stress symptoms and some areas of frustration in your life. You could benefit from some stress reduction activities.
101 – 150
You are probably experiencing some stress symptoms that may become a threat to you health, relationships and work. You need to make some changes to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
151 – 200
You are experiencing a high level of stress – most likely chronic stress. A score in this range indicates dissatisfaction with key areas of your life which could put you at a high risk for developing a stress-related illness. You need to take immediate action to reduce the level of stress in your life.
201 -- 250
You are burning out. A score in this range indicates that you are experiencing excessive and unhealthy levels of stress. Seek immediate help.
High levels of stress are a major impediment to outstanding performance. In this post, I have provided you with a quick way to determine the levels of stress in your life. Next week, I will provide you with some ideas on how to deal with the stress in your life. However, there are things that you can do immediately to cut your stress level -- stop smoking, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, cut down on caffeinated beveragres. Try these ideas in the meantime.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com.TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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