The life of a financial advisor can be stressful at the best of times. Periods of market volatility can make things worse. Letting stress get the best of you can take a toll — both personally and professionally.
High levels of stress can affect your concentration and short-term memory, says Richard Earle, managing director of Canadian Institute for Stress in Toronto. It can also make you pessimistic and erode your relationships.
It can also be a positive reaction to events in our lives. Stress is mobilized energy, says Earle, and who doesn’t want more energy?
The trick is to manage stress so that it doesn’t become a negative influence. Here are some tips to keep your stress levels under control:
> Accept that the way you feel is normal
To manage stress you first need to understand that it is a natural response to life’s occurrences.
“Stress is a totally normal reaction to an abnormal situation,” Earle says.
People tend to assume that no one else feels the way they do or do what they do, he says. But in fact everyone is pretty much the same in this regard and deals with similar pressures.
> Understand your objectives
Identifying what you want from your job can help you get a handle on stress.
“Clarify what returns you expect from your personal investment in your career,” says Earle.
Do you want to feel like a leader? Do you want to have a closer relationship with clients?
Answering these questions will help put the way you feel into perspective.
> Make a list
Consider how you can accomplish your goals.
Write down a few concrete and manageable ideas on what you can do today or this week, Earle says , to reach your goals.
For example, you might demonstrate leadership by talking more with your team.
Always focus on short-term goals, he says, because plans almost always change over the long term.
> Don’t worry
We worry, Earle says, as a way of convincing ourselves that we’re taking action on a problem.
If you find that worry is keeping you awake at night, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Can I change the situation?
If you can, do so.
2. If I can’t change the situation, what is the worst realistic outcome?
We over-emphasize how bad things will be, Earle says, while you may think you’ll be tarred and feathered and chased down Bay St., that’s simply not true.
3. If it does go badly, what is my plan?
> Keep healthy
Look at your life outside of the office, from your living environment to your habits for anything that may be creating stress.
It’s especially important to make sure that you eat right, exercise regularly and get a good night’s sleep, says Kim Williams, certified professional life and health coach with Vision in Motion Success Coaching in Windsor, Ont. Diet, exercise and sleep are vital for managing stress both at the office and in your personal life.
> Organize your day
Chaos breeds stress.
For a particularly busy day or week, says Williams, be as prepared as possible. Keep your paperwork and meetings organized.