Dear Members:
The responsibilities and demands of executive roles can often lead to heightened levels of stress, especially if you’re in charge of managing a credit union. From meeting members’ needs in this highly competitive environment, to cybersecurity concerns and fraud prevention, to industry regulations and compliance, it’s more stressful than ever to be the leader of a credit union. I believe it's important not only to acknowledge the reality of this stress but also to recognize that managing stress effectively is crucial for both personal well-being and professional success.
Today I’m sharing some tips that have worked for me to help control and relieve stress. I hope some of these will resonate with you as you manage your own stressful situations so that you can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Prioritize self-care. This one is at the top of the list because ensuring that you allocate time to recharge is vital for maintaining high performance levels. Whether it’s through physical exercise, relaxation techniques, or hobbies you enjoy, find that activity that relieves your stress and commit to it. Getting outside and exercising is at the top of my list of stress relievers. I love being outside and try to walk every night if I can, usually about three to four miles. Being outside in nature relaxes me and eliminates the stress I’ve felt during the day, giving me ample time to unwind and think. Additional self-care activities I prioritize include eating well (always challenging during the holidays, of course) and learning new, unrelated-to-work things. I recently started Pilates and have been trying to re-learn how to tap dance. Focusing on difficult things helps take my mind off the daily stresses of executive management.
Set boundaries. Setting boundaries between work and personal life is key to controlling stress and balancing the time between work and family and friends. If you don’t make a conscious effort to set that balance, you can burn yourself out pretty quickly. I make an effort to unplug from work-related communications during off-hours and spend time outside alone or with family and friends. Having dinner with people, playing cards with my kids at home, and watching shows like “Survivor” (a personal favorite), are all things I make time for to try and sustain a healthy work-life balance.
Develop a support network: This tip is related to the previous one because it emphasizes the importance of the people in your life. Surrounding yourself with a network of supportive peers, mentors, and friends allows you to share experiences and challenges with people you trust who understand your position and can provide valuable insights and emotional support.
Time management: You've likely heard this one frequently, but it bears repeating: Effective time management is critical when trying to control stress. Some tried and true tactics include prioritizing high-performance tasks, delegating where possible, breaking down large projects into manageable tasks, and setting realistic deadlines. Using organizational tools and apps can also help track responsibilities and deadlines.
Stay informed and seek professional help when needed: Educate yourself about stress management techniques and stay updated with new approaches. Books, webinars, and professional courses can provide useful tools and strategies to manage stress more effectively. And when stress becomes truly overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide strategies tailored to your specific situation and help you navigate challenging times.
Implement stress-reducing policies at work. As leaders, it’s also important to foster a work culture that prioritizes well-being. This includes implementing policies and practices that promote a healthy work environment, such as flexible working hours, wellness programs, and regular check-ins with managers and team members. We make a conscious effort at Corporate One to support our staff members in achieving their professional goals while maintaining a healthy and balanced life. Remember, managing stress effectively not only enhances your personal performance but also sets a positive example for your team.
As we wrap up this first month of the new year, let’s remember that the work we do is important and it’s vital to acknowledge and manage stress effectively so we can continue to lead our organizations successfully.