3 Very Simple Ways to Make Your Life Easier
We’re continuing discussion of some of the valuable messages from Richard Carlson’s book ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’. The quite simple strategies discussed in the book can enable you to manage stress more effectively.
The following 3 exercises can make you more resistant to stress and make life easier and more enjoyable.
Why not give them a go?
- Resist the Urge to Criticise
- Understand Separate Realities
We are often more aware of differences when we are visiting or working in a different culture. However, we may forget that individuals also have different views of the world. Understanding that we all have slightly different views of reality can help us be more accepting and tolerant. For example, understanding and accepting that some people need very clear guidelines and structure in order to work effectively, whilst others need more freedom to be creative and innovative can make life at work less stressful. - Seek First to Understand
This advice underpins effective communication. Taking the time to understand where the other person is coming from; their needs, motives and interests will enable you to communicate more effectively with them. Seeking first to understand will enable you to be understood more easily and as a result help you reduce stress.
Richard Carlson suggests that criticizing is a bad habit. How many times a day do you criticize someone? Criticizing another person says more about your need to criticize than it does about the other person. Think about how you feel after you’ve been critical, generally it makes us feel worse so what benefit does it have? Become aware of your urge to criticize and try to say or do something more productive instead.
We’d be delighted to hear how these strategies help make a difference to you or those around you.
Tags: communication, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, managing stress, Richard Carlson, stress management
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