4 Effective Ways to Handle Stress and Build Resilience At Work
To thrive at work, pros focus on reframing conflicts and making meaningful connections
Erin Carlyle
7 September 2021
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
Since this year (and last) has given us all a masterclass on stress, we asked design and renovating USA-based pros to share their best tips for managing it to build resilience. Read on to hear what they said, then please share your own wisdom in the Comments.
1. Reframe how you see conflict
One of the biggest sources of stress at work and in life are other people and the conflicts we inevitably have with them. “In broad strokes, there are people who see conflict as stressful: ‘Oh my God, it’s conflict, oh my God,’ ” says Cathy Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects in Annapolis, Maryland. “You run from it and get intimidated about it. “I see conflict as something that simply needs to be resolved,” says Cherry.
Whether a conflict arises with clients, a colleague or an employee, the key to lowering stress related to it is to quickly take in the problem and shift your focus to finding a solution. “To me, that’s the way you manage everything,” says Cherry. “Address it head on, communicate it openly.”
Time and experience handling conflicts in this way – assessing them, then matter-of-factly working to resolve them – helps build resilience. The more problems you solve, the more confident you’ll be that you can handle whatever problems come your way.
See how Houzz Pro business management software can help lower your stress
One of the biggest sources of stress at work and in life are other people and the conflicts we inevitably have with them. “In broad strokes, there are people who see conflict as stressful: ‘Oh my God, it’s conflict, oh my God,’ ” says Cathy Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects in Annapolis, Maryland. “You run from it and get intimidated about it. “I see conflict as something that simply needs to be resolved,” says Cherry.
Whether a conflict arises with clients, a colleague or an employee, the key to lowering stress related to it is to quickly take in the problem and shift your focus to finding a solution. “To me, that’s the way you manage everything,” says Cherry. “Address it head on, communicate it openly.”
Time and experience handling conflicts in this way – assessing them, then matter-of-factly working to resolve them – helps build resilience. The more problems you solve, the more confident you’ll be that you can handle whatever problems come your way.
See how Houzz Pro business management software can help lower your stress
2. Lean in to community
When the pandemic hit in 2020, the construction industry in Washington state ground to a halt, with no work allowed for weeks. “We all experienced a huge blow when the governor shut us down in March and early April,” says Michael Keating, customer care manager at JayMarc Homes in Mercer Island. “We had to collectively start making calls to see how everyone was doing. We had to get in with the master builders association and come up with a plan on how we could continue.”
While working together on that back-to-business plan (which was submitted to the governor), local builders established a deeper sense of community than they’d had previously, says Keating. The crisis also shifted the tone between firms and their subcontractors and vendors. “Conversations seem to start differently now,” says Keating. “‘How’s it going? How’s your family? Hope everything is well.’ And then you get into your business topic.”
Feeling part of a larger, connected community helps Keating put any stress from projects into perspective. “With something as harsh as this and as tragic as it’s been, it really puts that human spirit to the test,” he says. Now work relationships feel like they’re about “more than the almighty buck”.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, the construction industry in Washington state ground to a halt, with no work allowed for weeks. “We all experienced a huge blow when the governor shut us down in March and early April,” says Michael Keating, customer care manager at JayMarc Homes in Mercer Island. “We had to collectively start making calls to see how everyone was doing. We had to get in with the master builders association and come up with a plan on how we could continue.”
While working together on that back-to-business plan (which was submitted to the governor), local builders established a deeper sense of community than they’d had previously, says Keating. The crisis also shifted the tone between firms and their subcontractors and vendors. “Conversations seem to start differently now,” says Keating. “‘How’s it going? How’s your family? Hope everything is well.’ And then you get into your business topic.”
Feeling part of a larger, connected community helps Keating put any stress from projects into perspective. “With something as harsh as this and as tragic as it’s been, it really puts that human spirit to the test,” he says. Now work relationships feel like they’re about “more than the almighty buck”.
3. Improve your work habits and say no to difficult people
Another way to manage stress is to intentionally avoid situations that cause it. Obviously a massive stressor like the pandemic is out of our control, but much of what creates stress in a residential design or renovation project can be prevented. “I’m finding that I’m not in that many stressful situations,” says Daniel Lajoie of Departure Architecture in Oregon City, Oregon.
For those who do find themselves in stressful situations, Lajoie suggests looking at why the stress is happening in the first place. Often it comes from “either mismanaging situations, or not dealing with situations, or not communicating”, he says.
For Lajoie, a long career in commercial architecture knocked out ineffective approaches to work that can lead to poor project outcomes and interpersonal stress. “I think sometimes when you go through architecture school, you get churned out of there thinking you know more than what you know,” he says. “I really got banged over the head.” Just as important as designing beautiful spaces, he discovered, is the ability to effectively sell your ideas, work with clients and deliver results. Those lessons serve him well in his residential-design practice.
Sometimes you need better tools to help you more effectively manage your projects and deadlines. If you’re overwhelmed, you might want to consider Houzz Pro business and project management software to help you communicate with clients and leads, manage your projects and get paid faster.
A second critical lesson Lajoie discovered is the importance of working with clients who are the right fit. A lot of stress can come from difficult people, so he avoids working with them. “The most stress I have is trying to figure out if they are the right client after two or three meetings,” he says. After that, a project unfolds in a generally enjoyable way.
Another way to manage stress is to intentionally avoid situations that cause it. Obviously a massive stressor like the pandemic is out of our control, but much of what creates stress in a residential design or renovation project can be prevented. “I’m finding that I’m not in that many stressful situations,” says Daniel Lajoie of Departure Architecture in Oregon City, Oregon.
For those who do find themselves in stressful situations, Lajoie suggests looking at why the stress is happening in the first place. Often it comes from “either mismanaging situations, or not dealing with situations, or not communicating”, he says.
For Lajoie, a long career in commercial architecture knocked out ineffective approaches to work that can lead to poor project outcomes and interpersonal stress. “I think sometimes when you go through architecture school, you get churned out of there thinking you know more than what you know,” he says. “I really got banged over the head.” Just as important as designing beautiful spaces, he discovered, is the ability to effectively sell your ideas, work with clients and deliver results. Those lessons serve him well in his residential-design practice.
Sometimes you need better tools to help you more effectively manage your projects and deadlines. If you’re overwhelmed, you might want to consider Houzz Pro business and project management software to help you communicate with clients and leads, manage your projects and get paid faster.
A second critical lesson Lajoie discovered is the importance of working with clients who are the right fit. A lot of stress can come from difficult people, so he avoids working with them. “The most stress I have is trying to figure out if they are the right client after two or three meetings,” he says. After that, a project unfolds in a generally enjoyable way.
4. Take some deep breaths
While improving your mindset and work habits and finding community can certainly lower stress, there are times when stress hits us with a wallop. It’s just part of being human.
When that happens, Cherry, the Annapolis architect, turns to some tried-and-true stress-relief techniques: “A lot of deep breathing and a lot of hot baths,” she says. “And a great sense of humour.”
Maybe for you the tactic is a run in your neighbourhood or a nightly yoga session, a creative pursuit like painting or knitting, or a guilty pleasure like a reality show or TV series that serves as an escape. There are many different ways to find balance amid stress. “You have to use whatever tools are specific to your personality that bring you that offsetting peace,” says Cherry.
Your turn
What techniques do recommend for dealing with stress at work? Share your ideas in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice? Read this story – 3 Kitchen Designers: What My Early Career Mistakes Taught Me
While improving your mindset and work habits and finding community can certainly lower stress, there are times when stress hits us with a wallop. It’s just part of being human.
When that happens, Cherry, the Annapolis architect, turns to some tried-and-true stress-relief techniques: “A lot of deep breathing and a lot of hot baths,” she says. “And a great sense of humour.”
Maybe for you the tactic is a run in your neighbourhood or a nightly yoga session, a creative pursuit like painting or knitting, or a guilty pleasure like a reality show or TV series that serves as an escape. There are many different ways to find balance amid stress. “You have to use whatever tools are specific to your personality that bring you that offsetting peace,” says Cherry.
Your turn
What techniques do recommend for dealing with stress at work? Share your ideas in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice? Read this story – 3 Kitchen Designers: What My Early Career Mistakes Taught Me
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Just realizing stress exists and you are subject to it is the first step. Recognize there is an issue and that it is an inevitable part of life and you will get past it (or eliminate it as is necessary). Stress often goes hand in hand with depression - recognize it for what it is - it must serve some beneficial purpose or it wouldn't be here. If you can go through isolation/lock down and a grey (Pantone of course), cold, wet winter and not get depressed you have a rare chemical composition/mental state. Everyone will have some down time - push through it. "A professional does a good job even if they don't feel like it" and I often do things because I don't feel like it. I know once I get started I will get into it. I build as well as design - it is great therapy.
If design or client communication just isn't happening take care of some things you've been putting off like filing/organizing - it feels good to get something done and looking at what you have accomplished also feels good and often, then, the funk fades away and you transition into being psyched about designing and hop onto that.
And this to shall pass.
Stress will happen no matter what time of year. Is innate in the system we are immersed in. Are institutions caring about people's health and generating less stress? Not at all, rather is the contrary. For instance, if I wish to be a registered architect I have to pass several examinations that require months and years of preparation, and the economical and intellectual challenge happens at the same time as my regular working time (with added stress), pandemic challenge (with added stress) and the apartment that needs plumbing repairs and leaks down to the neighbor (with added stress). Considering that there is stress in everything we do or have, take a moment for yourself to disconnect completely. May be run or practice a sport. Find time, to be in touch with nature and replenish your resilience and love for life. Life is good