Here's how you can effectively manage stress in the workplace as a project manager.

Being organised and having a calm demeanour are essential leadership traits. Before going to bed at night, take time to review your day. Then write down the 6 most important things you need to do tomorrow. Study them and go to sleep. Trust your subconscious mind to find you the quickest and surest ways to approach those tasks the next day. Honour your intuition because it will give you nudges of what to do, where to go, who to contact, etc. Treat these with respect. If you ignore those inspired ideas, you are headed for confusion, procrastination or shoddy work. So stay calm and trust the universe to support you in your fantastic work.

Utilize the "time-blocking" technique to allocate specific time slots for each task, ensuring dedicated focus and preventing multitasking, which can increase stress and decrease productivity. You can also use the "Eat the frog first" to start your day. "Eat" the most complex task of your day in the first few hours of work so you accomplish a sense of success for the entire day.

Delegation is a sign of trust and respect for the talent in your team. Trying to be a Jack-of-all trade only ends up in burnout, bullying and an unhappy workplace. Use the specialised knowledge in the pool to excel. This brings out the best in the people and work becomes fun because people are doing what they enjoy. As a leader, you earn respect because you are leading from behind but raising moral from the top. Spend time knowing your team and this will facilitate activity allocation and when people do what they enjoy, they grow and the company thrives. There won't be any need for deadlines and working overtime.

Nurture a culture of empowerment by providing ongoing feedback and recognition for delegated tasks. This not only boosts team morale but also builds trust and confidence, leading to smoother project execution and reduced stress for all involved.

The "Pomodoro Technique" – work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This structured approach helps maintain productivity, combating burnout and enhancing overall well-being. In those 5 minutes adopt a blue break, just relax, close the eyes and practice some mindfulness exercise. No notification checking. Or a brisk walk outside, or a movement of choice!

One thing I would caution against is trying to be a perfectionist and copying from someone somewhere else. Being a good listener is very helpful so that you can bring out the best from your team. Know that you are seating with a wealth of potential and your team knows the realities of your business and understand your vision. Giving each member equality of speech, whether in meetings or one-on-one will help you see areas which you might have overlooked. Trusting team members and delegating some tasks to specialists in the team will save enormously in time and money.

Practice proactive communication by providing regular project updates and addressing any deviations from the original plan promptly. Transparency fosters trust and reduces anxiety, allowing for smoother navigation through project challenges.

Nurture a growth mindset within your team by reframing setbacks as learning opportunities. Encourage open dialogue about failures and successes, emphasizing the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles and thriving in dynamic project environments.

Integrate mindfulness into team meetings or stand-ups by starting with a brief grounding exercise. This promotes present-moment awareness and collective focus, setting a positive tone for productive collaboration and stress reduction.

Knowing yourself is crucial to achieving an effective mindfulness exercise. One activity I do is stopping everything and telling my body to sit like an animal. To sit still and it takes about 10 minutes. I start with a pmr, relaxing the muscles and different parts of my body lovingly and thanking each for what they do specifically. Then, if I am outside, I lie on the grass and watch the clouds. In our busyness we think the clouds are stationed but when we focus our attention, we see them moving. It takes my mind away from the work and reminds me how tiny I am in comparison to the cosmos and this vast universe. I completely loose myself in gratitude and once I feel lighter, I return to work revived and rejuvenated.