HBR Guide to Managing Stress at Work (HBR Guide Series)

Introduction: Nine Ways Successful People Defeat Stress

by Heidi Grant Halvorson

Feeling stressed? Of course you are. You have too much on your plate, deadlines looming, and people counting on you. You’re under a lot of pressure—so much that, at times, the quality of your work suffers.

But overall, your success on the job doesn’t depend on whether you suffer from intense bouts of stress. These days, nearly all professionals do. What matters is how you deal with them. When your stress levels get out of hand, these nine methods will help you regain balance.

1. Cut Yourself Some Slack

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, dwelling on your failures and weaknesses won’t solve the problem. You’re better off looking at your mistakes with compassion and remembering ...