Here's how you can effectively manage stress in a digital strategy career.

Digital strategy execution can be stressful because you are most likely "stressing" an existing system to change. Digital is as much or even more about people as it is about technology. Hence collaborating strongly with business and having a common understanding on the impact of the change and the change management needed is important. Additionally, there will be lots of ambiguity as you will likely be trying new tech as well as new processes as part of transformation programs. It is important to recognise this and reduce this as much as possible through strategy communication, collaborative working, strong change strategy, drive executive buy in etc to increase chances of success and reduce stress

A little bit of stress can sometimes be a good thing. It is of course wise to be aware when it is adding up into too much. Whether working from home or in the office, it is of the utmost importance to take time away from video calls, screens and particularly social media. Every hour, try taking a 2-3 minute break, whether watercooler moment or even a long break to walk around the block. Whilst long hours are often inevitable, being able to flex tasks around meditation or exercise is also a crucial way to clear your mind and re-focus.

Once stress is recognized, it’s crucial to implement strategies for managing it effectively. Techniques like mindfulness meditation and time management can help reduce anxiety and improve focus. According to Lazarus and Folkman's stress management theory, there are two main ways to cope with stress: problem-focused (altering the stressor) or emotion-focused (reducing emotional distress).

Managing stress effectively starts with recognizing its early signs. In a fast-paced digital strategy career, it's easy to overlook stress until it becomes overwhelming. Pay attention to physical and emotional cues like fatigue, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. Regularly assess your workload and identify stressors, whether they stem from tight deadlines, complex projects, or client demands. Acknowledging stress early allows you to take proactive steps to manage it before it affects your performance or well-being.

Acknowledging its presence is the first step towards managing it effectively. Recognize the signs such as irritability, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating. This acceptance helps in normalizing the experience.

Set clear boundaries between work and personal life for maintaining overall well-being. Define specific work hours and stick to them to avoid work encroaching on your 'ME and MINE' time. Use tools like time management apps or physical separation of workspaces to create a clear distinction between work and relaxation. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues and stakeholders to manage expectations and protect your mental peace. Taking time for yourself not only helps your health but also enhances productivity and job satisfaction.

As with any other job, too, prioritization is essential for managing stress in a digital environment. Prioritizing critical tasks allows you to focus your efforts on what really makes an impact. Organize your to-do list based on urgency and importance, using techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix. By focusing on the tasks that add the most value first, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed. In addition, asking for help or delegating (always fulfilling our responsibilities) when possible is a useful strategy for maintaining control and reducing stress. Good luck ??

When I go on vacation, I take a break from social media, newsletters and overall tech-related topic. I pin and save for later ... but downtime is not only a suggestion, it's a requirement. The digital business moves so fast that there is a serious need to just .. disconnect, recharge and return at full strength. Also, during this downtime I tend to read a lot - some fiction, but also some industry material, something that will inspire me for what comes next.

Sleep. Build campaigns. Grow revenue. Repeat until the necessary characters have been fulfilled to execute all of your tasks such as this one around staying healthy for your career.