Stop Stressing - Using Systems to Gain Control

[Guest guest]

A Free-Reprint Article Written by: Larry Tobin

Article Title:

Stop Stressing - Using Systems to Gain Control

See TERMS OF REPRINT to the end of the article.

Article Description:

So far, we've been focusing on using small steps and

independent techniques to help deal with the stress which

piles up in our lives. Each of these techniques is a good

and proper one for dealing with stress. However, there is

another technique that takes advantage of all the things

we've talked about and makes them even more effective. This

technique is called " system building. "

Additional Article Information:

===============================

919 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2010-08-26 10:15:00

Written By: Larry Tobin

Copyright: 2010

Contact Email: mailto:larry.tobin@...

For more free-reprint articles by Larry Tobin, please visit:

http://www.thePhantomWriters.com/recent/author/larry-tobin.html

=============================================

Special Notice For Publishers and Webmasters:

=============================================

HTML Copy-and-Paste and TEXT Copy-and-Paste

Versions Of Article Are Available at:

http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/db/t/gain-control-over-stress.shtml#ge\

t_code

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Stop Stressing - Using Systems to Gain Control

Copyright © 2010 Larry Tobin

Habit Changer

http://www.HabitChanger.com/

So far, we've been focusing on using small steps and independent

techniques to help deal with the stress which piles up in our

lives. We know about using the STOP method to interrupt difficult

thoughts, or to get our attention where we need it instead of

where it's trying to go. We know about taking down notes in our

stress log so that we can see where problems are building up. We

know about scheduling our events around consistent times and not

letting our schedules get derailed. Each of these techniques is a

good and proper one for dealing with stress.

However, there is another technique that takes advantage of all

the things we've talked about and makes them even more

effective. This technique is called " system building. "

What is it?

System building is a method of taking all of your different

techniques and applying them in an organized way, so that instead

of reacting to stress as it comes up, you can head it off

beforehand and minimize its presence in your life at all.

Why do I need it?

Studies show that humans are best suited for routines. Yes, we

all crave a little change and excitement, but the best way to

live day in and day out is in a stable yet adaptable routine. A

routine is in fact a kind of system, built from our habits and

usual practices to deal with the things that come up.

Where stress comes in is when our system fails a little. We try

to graft something right on top of our existing routine and

system, instead of bringing it inside where it's part of things.

We think about it as an outside imposition, rather then a

necessary part of our routine, and thus we struggle against it

and find ourselves stressing out.

How do I do it?

This is the beautiful part. If you've been following the program

so far, you're already doing it. It's the step-by-step process

of integrating the things we've already learned about, as

mentioned above.

Step 1 - Go Through the Log

Now that you've had time to let your stress log develop, sit

down and look through it. More than likely, you're noticing a

handful of patterns that keep popping up. Whatever form it takes,

this is the sort of stress that comes up again and again, and

isn't likely to just stop if it's ignored.

Without recriminations, take a separate piece of paper and notice

all the events that come up more than once or twice. List all the

inconveniences that keep popping up to hinder your

stress-reduction efforts, along with a note of how often you have

to deal with them.

Step 2 - Write Down Your Routine

Set aside the list of repeat stresses for a moment. Starting with

the bare minimum events, list out your routine for the day. Start

with when you get up, including important steps like meals, work,

travel time and the like. List approximately how long each takes,

and what times you usually engage in these activities.

Step 3 - Assign Times

Now that you have these two frameworks written out, it's time to

combine the two.

Remember that having specific times to do things is the strongest

way to build a routine. Equally, trying to squeeze in events that

are stressful without making them part of a scheduled timeframe

is a way to amplify stress. Therefore, take advantage of

scheduling to help reduce the impact of stressful events.

For example, some of us might be going to school to get that

all-important degree. However, real life often gets in the way

and few of us have the luxury of going to school full time

without other matters to deal with. Thus, schoolwork gets shoved

around until the last minute, and then we're panicking and it's

stressing us out more than it needs to.

Instead, find a time between work and school, and schedule it as

an inviolate time to sit down and tackle at least one part of

your homework. Set an alert on your computer or cell phone if the

reminder will help, and sit down to do the work. Make sure it's

the same time every day to emphasize that part of your routine.

Then, after only three weeks of this, it is likely that you will

have internalized the event. It will no longer be " oh, nuts, I

forgot homework... " Instead, it will feel like a part of your

life, something that belongs to you and is firmly under your

control.

Step 4 - Delegate!

As much as the world wants us to believe that we can all be

supermen and do everything we put our minds to, we cannot. We're

human beings with limits, needs, and distinct abilities - and

that is OK. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging our limits.

Maybe the house is just too messy to tackle on our own. Between

work, school, the family and trying to exercise more often, we

just don't have the energy to get to it, but we don't want it

to get worse, either. Hire someone. Offer a friend a meal and 25

bucks to help you tear through the garage, or hire a short-term

housecleaner while you get your schedule in order.

Whatever way you do it, asking for help is not a weakness, it's

a tool in your kit of ways to reduce stress. Once you know what

you can handle, don't feel bad about delegating the rest to

others.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Larry Tobin is the co-creator of

http://www.HabitChanger.com/ offering effective

and empowering solutions for stopping stress.

Try our 42-day program that will help you learn

proactive habits to beat stress and keep

you moving forward in the right direction.

http://www.habitchanger.com/stopstressing