Understanding Your Unique Stressors Is the First Step Towards a Balanced Life.
Amira Romanowski
Empowering Women to Overcome Overwhelm and Thrive in Career, Family, and Life | NLP Certified & eDISC Accredited Coach”
January 7, 2025
In today’s fast-paced and demanding professional landscape, stress has become an almost unavoidable companion for many women striving to excel in their careers while maintaining fulfilling personal lives. For professional women, especially those balancing family responsibilities, the pressures can be immense, often leading to high stress levels that impede both career advancement and personal happiness.
The Silent Saboteur: Stress in the Professional Woman’s Life
Stress manifests in various forms, from chronic fatigue and anxiety to burnout and decreased productivity. According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers feel stress on the job, and nearly half report that they need help in learning how to manage it. For professional women, the stakes can be even higher. The dual expectations of excelling in the workplace and nurturing a family can create a perfect storm of stressors that are difficult to navigate without proper support and strategies.
“Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose.” — Maureen Killoran, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Impact on Career Growth
High stress levels can significantly hinder career growth in several ways:
- Decreased Productivity: Chronic stress can impair cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and decision-making, leading to reduced efficiency and productivity at work. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that high stress levels are associated with decreased job performance and increased absenteeism (1).
- Impaired Leadership Skills: Stress can affect emotional intelligence, making it challenging to lead teams effectively, resolve conflicts, and make strategic decisions. According to Daniel Goleman, a renowned psychologist, emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership, and stress can diminish one’s ability to exhibit these qualities (2).
- Career Stagnation: Persistent stress can lead to burnout, causing talented professionals to leave their jobs or even their chosen careers altogether. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon that significantly impacts career progression (3).
- Missed Opportunities: When overwhelmed by stress, women may hesitate to take on new projects, pursue promotions, or engage in networking opportunities that are crucial for career advancement.
Erosion of Personal Happiness
Beyond the professional realm, stress can erode personal happiness and well-being:
- Health Issues: Chronic stress is linked to numerous health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety (4). The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that long-term stress can have severe physical and mental health consequences (5).
- Strained Relationships: Stress can lead to irritability, mood swings, and decreased patience, which can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Brené Brown, a research professor and author, highlights that vulnerability and open communication are essential for maintaining healthy relationships, which stress often undermines (6).
- Reduced Quality of Life: Constant stress can diminish the enjoyment of everyday activities, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction and decreased overall quality of life.
Understanding Your Unique Stressors
The first step towards mitigating stress and achieving a balanced life is understanding your unique stressors. Every individual experiences stress differently, influenced by personal circumstances, personality traits, and professional environments. Identifying what specifically triggers your stress allows you to develop targeted strategies to manage it effectively.
Personalized Insights with eDISC Assessment
One powerful tool for understanding your unique stressors is the eDISC Assessment. This scientifically validated tool categorizes personalities into four primary types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness (7). By identifying your eDISC profile, you gain deep insights into your behavior, communication style, and stress responses.
“Self-awareness is not self-centeredness, and spirituality is not narcissism. ‘Know thyself’ is not a narcissistic pursuit.” — Maxime Lagacé, Author and Speaker
Here’s how understanding your eDISC profile can help:
- Enhanced Self-Awareness: Recognize your strengths and areas for improvement, enabling you to leverage your natural abilities and address your weaknesses.
- Tailored Stress Management: Develop personalized strategies that align with your personality type, making stress management more effective and sustainable.
- Improved Communication: Foster better relationships by understanding how you and others communicate and respond to stress.
- Career Advancement: Align your career path with your natural tendencies and strengths.
Taking Action: Steps Towards a Balanced Life
- Assess Your Personality Type: Begin with the eDISC Assessment to gain a comprehensive understanding of your personality traits and stress triggers.
- Engage with a Life Coach: Partner with a professional life coach who can help you interpret your eDISC results and develop actionable stress management strategies.
- Implement Personalized Strategies: Apply the tailored techniques and strategies discussed during your coaching sessions to manage stress effectively.
- Set Achievable Goals: Define clear, attainable goals that align with both your personal and professional aspirations, ensuring a balanced approach to growth.
- Seek Continuous Support: Utilize follow-up sessions, resources, and support groups to maintain progress and adapt strategies as needed.
Embrace the Journey to Balance and Success
Managing stress is not a one-time effort but a continuous journey towards achieving balance and success in all areas of life. By understanding your unique stressors and implementing personalized strategies, you can transform stress from a debilitating force into a catalyst for growth and fulfillment.
If you’re a professional woman ready to take control of your stress and unlock your true potential, consider investing in an eDISC Profile and a personalized unpack session with a certified life coach. Together, we can create a roadmap tailored to your unique needs, helping you achieve a harmonious and fulfilling life both professionally and personally.
Ready to Transform Your Stress into Success? Message me to learn more and reserve your spot today!
References
- American Institute of Stress. (n.d.). Workplace Stress. Retrieved from https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress ↩
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam. ↩
- World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases ↩
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987 ↩
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Stress management. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495 ↩
- Brown, B. (2012). Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Gotham Books. ↩
- Everything DiSC. (n.d.). What is DiSC? Retrieved from https://www.everythingdisc.com/ ↩