sjsmith.com.au - blog

Overcoming negativity

Dealing with the Grumps

After returning from holiday I've been hit with a bad case of the grumps. While some of it can be attributed to post-holiday blues, some of it is due to some stressful family issues like illness, some is due to work pressure and, some of it is due to lack of sleep.  

It doesn't matter what type of business you have there are going to be times when things are challenging.  Sometimes it's the business itself and sometimes it's from external factors.  I always get a bit stressed at the end of the financial year. Many of the things that need to be done are only done once a year so they don't have that feeling of familiarity. Making sure that everybody gets their payment summaries, that the tax department are given everything they need and that the accountant has all the information they need are all things I stress a bit about. This is also the time when the tax department (in their wisdom) often change their systems. But here's the thing,  all of these things are minor annoyances. As I've said before all you have to do is the next thing on the list. Keep doing one more thing and you get through it.

The other thing is sometimes you need to take a step back.  When it gets a bit too stressful step away from your desk or workbench. Get yourself a drink or, if you can, take yourself outside for ten minutes. Do some stretches, take some deep breaths. If you really need a break connect with someone who can help or do some exercise. Phone a friend or meet your mum for coffee. Those circuit breakers can really help ease the pressure. Whatever is triggering your mood remind yourself that it is only temporary and you have the power to decide whether to deal it with it cheerfully or in a bad mood. Bear in mind too that if you're spending frustrating time on the phone or the computer (like I've been) often the person you deal with is not the one that caused your problem.  Treating other people,kindly, even when you don't feel that way, should remind you to also treat yourself kindly.  Remember, it's a bad day, not a bad life!

Till next time,

Sarah-Jane X