Increase Productivity and Reduce Stress by Accessing the Power of Your Core Values

Stress at work is something that can’t always be avoided, but in today’s economy, work stress is an ever increasing problem. Did you know that stress at work costs employers over $300 billion each year in reduced productivity, health costs, and no-shows? According to a survey by Yale University, almost 30% of all workers surveyed checked that they were either, “quite a bit” or “extremely” stressed while at work. I think it is clear that there is a definite link between stresses at work and how much those workers can produce, don’t you?

Where to Start to Manage Stress

Learning to manage and then reduce stress is not a simple matter. The reason for this is because a lot of stress at work and elsewhere is caused from outside influences that you have no control over. This can make it very frustrating to try and control. The first step in learning to manage stress is to realize it is there and there is not much you can do to change that fact.

Of course, realizing that a lot of stress at work is not controllable doesn’t help you reduce it. In fact, this knowledge may make you think that there is nothing you can do to manage and reduce stress at work. The truth is that you can reduce stress and see an increase in productivity for yourself by accessing the power of your core values in life.

What are Core Values in Life?

Well, they are the things that matter most to you. If someone were to ask you, “What is the most important to you?” what would you say? As you begin to think about that question realize that you are thinking about what your core values in life are. These are the things that you care about above all else. It is within these values that you will find the tools and motivation you need to reduce stress and see an increase in productivity at work and in all aspects of your life.

The Power of Accessing Your Core Values in Life

So, why does understanding your core values in life result in an increase in productivity and stress management skills? Well, it’s all about what motivates you. What’s your favorite thing to do? Hike, bike, shop, read, spend time with family and friends, or maybe build things perhaps? Whatever it is, I am sure that you don’t have any trouble getting motivated to do it. The reason for this is because you truly desire to succeed in that thing. It makes you truly happy. When you tap into your core values in life and translate them into other areas of your life you are able to manage stress.

What I’ve noticed is that accessing your core values in life also translates into an increase in productivity. When you start to assess situations and make decisions based on what matters most to you, the decisions themselves become simple and straight forward. The clarity and focus that this brings in almost every person motivates and supports your work. The best part about this is that it’s a supplementary benefit to helping you reduce stress at work and in all areas of your life.

The Process of Discovering Your Core Values in Life

I think we can all agree that there are some huge benefits to be had from by uncovering and using your core values in life and work. The next logical question is how do you do it? There are three basic steps to the process:

1. Take stock of your values.
2. Assess what your core values in life are.
3. Apply these core values to your goals and decisions.

Easier Said than Done…

Though I’ve summed up the process quite simply, it’s actually pretty intense. You have to ask some hard questions in order to uncover what is the most important to you. Knowing how and where to implement these discoveries in your life as well as how to use them to manage stress at work can also be difficult. If things don’t change fast enough, will you get discouraged? How do you cope with things now while you are making these discoveries?

The Secret is Bringing Back Up

If you are sincerely interested in learning to manage stress at work and see an increase in productivity then you should think about bringing along some back up. This means having someone who supports, motivates, encourages, and challenges you to succeed. This means getting a life coach in your corner.

Unlike a friend or family member, a life coach is professionally trained to help. They have pledged themselves to helping you and others like you succeed. Add that to specialized training and specific techniques they’ve learned help you to unlock your core values in life and you can see why I wouldn’t recommend anything else.