By Robert Half International
Stress is a constant in the lives of many financial professionals.
Multiple deadlines — from the monthly close to tax filings and quarterly
financial statements — often mean working in a continual state of
urgency.
But it’s not just the nature of the job itself that can be
stress-inducing. According to an Accountemps survey, 41 percent of
financial executives said trying to balance work and personal
responsibilities is the greatest source of workplace stress.
Office politics or conflicts with co-workers was cited by 28 percent of
respondents. Surprisingly perhaps, only 16 percent said staying current
with changing financial regulations was a primary stressor.
Even if the constant demands never seem to cease, you may be able to
find ways to manage them better. Consider these six suggestions:
1. Understand priorities. Although everyone seems to want things “by close of business,” this expectation isn’t always realistic.
When you’re asked to perform a Herculean feat — especially one that
comes out of nowhere — ask a little more about what’s needed and how you
can be accommodating without ditching other personal or work
obligations. It may be that your manager really only needs one critical
piece of information rather than an entire report, or maybe you can
break a project into stages. By understanding more about what’s needed
and when, you can often lower your stress level while ensuring your
ability to deliver.
2. Ask for what you need. Don’t be afraid to request
additional flexibility. Perhaps you can join a conference call from home
while you wait for a plumber or work from home one day a week to
complete a regularly scheduled task. Considering the time involved in
commuting in many cities, your boss may very well be receptive,
especially if you make it clear what you plan to accomplish while telecommuting and then deliver on it.
3. Give yourself a break. Consider a self-imposed “timeout”
from your work schedule, even during busy periods. To force employees to
better manage stress, one high-volume accounting firm closes its office
at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays during tax season. Even if your
employer doesn’t mandate such a practice, recognize that you may need to
adjust your intensity level on your own sometimes.
4. Take it outside. It’s not unusual to feel added stress if
you’re cooped up in a cubicle for 10 hours a day with hardly a glimpse
of the outside world. A change of scenery may help you re-energize.
If you need to meet with a colleague to discuss a business matter,
consider taking the discussion outside the office rather than to the
conference room. Sit in the city plaza with a cup of coffee or take a
brisk walk and exchange ideas. You’ll return to the office feeling less
stressed, and a new setting may be just what’s needed to stumble upon a
breakthrough idea.
Similarly, don’t hesitate to break away for lunch. Even if your to-do
list exceeds your available time, it can boost your productivity to get
out of the office briefly rather than eating at your desk and trying to
power through.
5. Avoid the superhero syndrome. Recognize that your powers
are not superhuman, even if you will them to be. Be realistic and speak
up if you simply can’t take on another project. Let your boss know that
you are willing to help, but you may need to shift some responsibilities
to accommodate the new request. Your boss would rather know up front
that you have too much on your plate than to have a project fall through
at the last minute.
6. Book a vacation. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken
time off, start planning your next extended break from the office. Your
manager will likely be supportive: Most managers realize that vacations are good for morale and productivity.
When you do plan time away, try to truly unplug. Set up your email
and voice mail to let others know you’re out of the office, and
establish an alternate contact for urgent matters.
In any fast-paced, deadline-driven field, stress can easily get the
best of you. You may be able to prevent it, though, by taking some of
these simple, but effective, steps to regain balance in your work life.