Advice from HBR

I read (or skim) many business articles each day. My favorites come from Harvard Business Review's Management Tip of the Day. These short snippets always get me to read the entire article, because often their advice links well to both my professional and personal life.

Here are two of my recent favorites. The first rang true as many unexpected events seem to happen in my life. It's the subtitle of my blog. It actually reminds me of the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:26 "To act for themselves and not to be acted upon." I have a tendency to fly off the handle when the unexpected comes my way. I'm working on not doing that and these three steps have helped me with that goal.

3 Ways to Handle the Unexpected
Trying to predict the future is futile. Instead, be ready to respond. When the unexpected arrives at your door, do these three things:
Stop. If you feel pressured to make a decision, stop what you're doing. Give yourself a chance to think before acting.
Assess your options. Don't waste time wishing things were different. Think about the best outcome in the given situation, the information you have at hand, and the available resources. Then lay out your options.
Move forward. Based on your new assessment, make a decision and commit. Even if the decision isn't ideal, accept that it's the best under the circumstances.

The second article validated what I was already trying to do: not let stress control my life. Elder Scott once spoke about making choices and understanding the difference between worries and concerns. I've re-read this talk multiple times as I have encountered stressful situations. Learning to deconstruct my own feelings then acting accordingly is still a work in progress.

Turn Stress into an Asset
Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to be damaging. When managed correctly, strain can positively impact productivity and performance. Here are three things you can do to make stress work for you:
Recognize worry for what it is. Stress is a feeling, not a sign of dysfunction. When you start to worry, realize it's an indication that you care about something, not a cause for panic.
Focus on what you can control. Too many people feel bad about things they simply can't change. Remember what you can affect and what you can't.
Create a supportive network. Knowing you have somebody to turn to can help a lot. Build relationships so that you have people to rely on in times of stress.

I really like the last point. My family and friends have been a tremendous support to me. They've been there for the good and bad, and more often than not, carried me through the overwhelmingly stressful times.