What are the best ways to manage stress when making career decisions?

“You cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them,” said Albert Einstein. To solve a problem, you must first see it with clarity. Take a step back and find out the root cause. If you can diagnose the source, solving it is a lot easier.

Stress is a constant presence in our lives. It can serve as a motivator to help us overcome obstacles, or it can wear us down. Understanding what triggers our stress is crucial. Experimentation is a powerful tool to reduce anxiety and the fear of the unknown. From a young age, we are often discouraged from failing, with the belief that failure is for losers. However, we all know that this is not true. Those who never fail are the ones who never tried. Taking small steps and seeking help along the way is essential to cultivating a mindset that embraces uncertainty. It's not an easy path, but taking that first step and acknowledging your fears can open up new opportunities.

First, know or identify your strength and weakness Have a background or career that your strength can carry Move in the pace where your strength can hold you Work in your capacity and do not copy others Love yourself and take care.

Generally, when someone thinks of a goal, it is usually subjective. For example a senior executive in a tech firm might aspire to 'land a role in the AI field'. It is far more powerful to make it more specific and data-driven. How can you do that? In this case, the executive can frame the aspiration as 'transitioning into a role that focuses more on AI strategy over the next 10 months, with a pay hike in the range of 50 to 70%.' This is a specific, measurable, and time-bound goal. Having such clarity in goal setting is a great way to reduce stress while making career decisions.

As the old saying goes, "empty the glass before filling it." Sometimes, it's essential to declutter our lives before gaining clarity about what we truly want. Dedicate focused time to understand your values, identify what you're passionate about, and determine your thresholds. Once you have this understanding, set quarterly and annual goals, proceeding step by step. Keep in mind that the journey is often more important than the end goal itself. As you progress, you'll inevitably discover new values and learn more about yourself along the way.

We often overlook this rule until something negative happens to us. Our fast-paced lifestyles and the constant pressure to do more in less time are societal fallacies that can undermine our autonomy and well-being. Before taking care of others, you must prioritize taking care of yourself. Listen to your body, if something feels wrong, take action to address it. Embrace moments of silence, spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy nature. Consider practices like meditation, prayer, listening to white noise, reading, regular exercise, or even taking up a hobby. Sometimes, having a hobby is all we need to take a break from the demands of work and find joy in other aspects of life.