Here's how you can balance work and manage stress as a professional.

I recently watched Jeff Bezos talk about stress and he said it comes from not tackling things immediately and piling them up for later. Nuances and context matter but I think he was 100% correct. Tomorrow is always sweet and later is cornucopious but it is a mirage. You just end up getting drawn in different directions and with less time. My advice is to take the bull by its horn immediately or set things in motion while you do what works best for you. In all you do, do not postpone unless you absolutely have to. You can use the Eisenhower matrix to guide you but just do it!

- Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals. - Take regular breaks to recharge. - Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. - Maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries. - Seek support from colleagues, friends, or a counselor. - Stay organized to reduce overwhelm and enhance productivity.

Balancing work and managing stress as a professional involves setting clear priorities, organizing tasks, and using time management techniques to stay productive. It's essential to establish boundaries between work and personal life, practice regular physical exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and ensure adequate sleep. Incorporating stress-relief techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and taking regular breaks can significantly reduce stress.

Prioritizing tasks is paramount to managing the stress that, typically, accompanies balancing workloads. Think of it as an upside-down pyramid. Knock out the most impactful, important tasks, whether daily or within a project cycle, and then, work your way downwards. Doing so will relieve burdens, work-related stress, and, overall, make yourself feel like progress and accomplishments are in the works, which, they probaly are, if you're following this mindset.

I truly envy people who are great at setting boundaries, one of them is my good friend Joan. She is great at it! You just know what to do and what not to do with her. I think it is linked to having great communication skills and personality types. This is still a work in progress for me but I communicate more now and I am setting up boundaries albeit more slowly than I would have loved, hey, any progress is still progress. :)

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, exemplifies stress management through delegation. Branson delegates tasks across his diverse portfolio of businesses, trusting his team to execute projects effectively. By empowering employees to take ownership, Branson reduces his workload and maintains focus on strategic endeavors. This approach enables him to navigate challenges while fostering a positive work environment.

Anyone who knows me or follows me would know that I am a huge proponent of reflective practices. It can literally transform your life and not just professionally. The effects would be felt in every aspect of your life. I still believe that 'Man know thyself' by Socrates is one of the greatest philosophies of all time. Reflecting will make you know yourself on a very deep level, you would know your actual strengths and weaknesses, where you excel, see your blindspots and give you clarity. You could fool everyone but you cannot fool yourself no matter how hard you try, yes you can repress the truth but deep down you know.