Twenty top tips for a lower-stress PR career.
Marketing communications is a busy and varied career choice and one which can be highly-rewarding on many levels. PR is one of those occupations where the more you put in the more you get back.
The media is ‘always on’ and social media is an intrinsic 24/7 part of our lives. As such, PR professionals often have to go the extra mile to maintain momentum and win. PR is no longer a nine-to-five occupation - it is a lifestyle career choice. By default, we work in a profession that is run by deadlines, long to-do lists and high expectations. Not to mention the energy, drive and emotional input needed to achieve cut through. This means that at times it can be stressful because client demands are high and the flow of media opportunities never ceases.
Most importantly we need to look after our own mental wellbeing and also that of our colleagues. It’s OK not to be OK. It’s OK to ask for help and it’s OK to make changes. So, how can we build our resilience and mitigate our stresses in this busy and buzzing ‘more, more, more’ industry?
Here are my top tips for maintaining equilibrium, harmony and happiness. Some of these are practical tips and some are about mental programming - which needs mindset shifts to work. It is totally possible to change how you think, how you process situations, how you view outcomes and take those thoughts forward for your own mental health.
Try one, or a combination of these tips, and you will hopefully notice a difference.
1. Remove the mask - don’t over analyse what people think of you. Be proud of what you achieve and for doing the great job you do. As PRs we are judged heavily on the results we achieve – so shout about them.
2. Believe in your heart - trust your intuition. Gut feelings are often a good basis for a decision. If you don’t enjoy your role then change it. PR is not for everyone. Usually, most of us spend more time working than with our closest family members – so it has to feel ‘right’. Likewise, if there is a specific cause or a market sector you really want to work on due to a personal interest in the subject – do it. Most agency bosses will welcome entrepreneurship from their teams if an idea is commercially viable.
3. Breathe - press pause. Take time out. Put yourself centre stage and book ‘me time’ into your diary. You are human not a robot. Regular breaks from your desk and screen are essential to maintain healthy well-being. Space breeds creativity and this is important. Many people find embracing the great outdoors and reconnecting with nature is a wonderful tonic.
4. Be thankful - gratitude is a great trait to foster in the workplace and shows that you are appreciative. Showing and giving thanks is a good thing. That little ‘thank you’ might make the difference to someone’s day and transform it from ‘meh’ to marvellous.
5. Be positive - I am a great believer in the concept of ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Positive mental attitude attracts positivity and I believe this fosters success. Laughter is good for the soul. Laugh every day and be the reason people smile.
6. Do your best - 99 is not 100. Do the very best you can in every task – sometimes a little bit more effort reaps far greater achievements. Aim to reach your personal 100% input level and focus on delivering personal excellence. Passing off sub-standard work in order to quickly clear an action from a to-do list is not a good strategy for longer-term success. Your boss pays you to be outstanding.
7. Small steps forward - it is better to chip away at several projects at the same time and maintain momentum. Rather than focus all your energies into one action, to the detriment of others. Good multi-tasking is about progressing several jobs at the same time, being able to press pause on them, go back and resume. Progress in small steps across your to-do-list is far better than neglect. Segment your day into small chunks of time allocated to specific tasks, time map your day, use a countdown app and you will be surprised at how much you can achieve. Most importantly, you will feel a far greater sense of achievement with this approach.
8. Spend time with happy people - this is so true. Nobody likes listening to a Negative Nellie. Listening to moaners whine and whinge will only build stress. We are a social species and are drawn to discussions – just be aware of the tone – and don’t become a ‘sponge’ soaking up another person’s negativity. Spending more time with positive, upbeat and happy people will naturally lift your mood.
9. Experiences over possessions - life is a rich tapestry of experiences. The more you challenge yourself to DO new things the happier you will be. Life will become richer in general and more rewarding. It’s not what you own that makes you fulfilled in your heart – although we all enjoy nice things. Materialism is a negative trait - so focus on doing stuff, rather than owning stuff. I also think, when you focus on experiences and enrichment – you naturally do a better job and in the long-run will get everything you want.
10. Don’t over-personalise work - everybody receives feedback and constructive criticism. View this as a pure positive. By understanding where things can improve upon - we can work to make differences. Over-analysis will only fuel negative emotions.
11. Get sh*t done! - focus and dedicate time to getting tasks done. Procrastination builds anxiety and leads to stress. Tackle the least favourite tasks first and also those that have been on your to-do list the longest. You will be pleasantly surprised at how good you feel for clearing them off your priorities.
12. Bite that tongue - patience is a virtue. Take a moment to consider your responses and reactions. Time means you will be calmer and less knee-jerk – this is a hard one but will reduce stress in the long-run as you consciously take the time to put your point-of-view across in a reasoned manner. Arguing, snapping and over-reacting are not great strategies for harmony in the workplace and these behaviours will amplify negative emotions.
13. Walk away from drama - there is no need to get involved in every drama. Only make headspace for your own issues and do not allow yourself to get distracted. Filling your mind and time with other people’s drama is not a positive thing. Positive relationships need to be two-way and mutually beneficial. Remove toxic relationships and connections – in both the physical and digital worlds – they will bare you no good.
14. Focus on tomorrow - yesterday has gone, today is going, so focus on making tomorrow better. Use learnings and experiences to make tomorrow a great day. There is always room for improvement and everyone can learn more. If you made mistakes – be honest - think about how to avoid repeating them in the future.
15. Schedule time for your sanity - it’s important to take time to think about how you are feeling. Ask yourself how happy you are and identify what are the causes of your stress. Then mind map a plan of action to help resolve or at least tackle those issues. Talking and listening are equally important.
16. Take notes and doodle - write stuff down. This frees up headspace and reduces anxiety - as you will not be going over things in your head. The act of writing down your thoughts is cathartic and reassuring - as you have captured them on paper and can revisit in the future, meaning it is fine to forget them for now. Good quality notes are essential. Doodles also clear the mind. Use both techniques and you will get cracking quicker. Some of the most successful people I know doodle every day. Don’t be afraid to break the norm either – you can write outside the lines, across the lines, on blank pages or graph grid paper. I love to write my notes in coloured inks – it makes them more engaging, memorable and I use colour to emphasise things. You will be more likely to use notes that you relate to – so do them in your own style. It’s not school handwriting and your notes aren’t being assessed. Your notes ought to be an expression of your individuality and creativity.
17. Love - love has many guises and it is a healthy emotion. Whether it’s sex, lust, fondness, caring for a pet, friendship or relatives. Make time in life to love others, to be loved in return and also to love yourself.
18. Sleep - everyone needs to rest and recharge. Ensure you get the best quality sleep you can. We all know about blue light from portables keeping us awake. Also take time to look at your sleep environment and ensure it is peaceful, dark and comfortable. Smells, daylight levels, noise and temperature can all affect our sleep. Make your bedroom a work-free zone of relaxation.
19. Exercise - whether it’s a walk or a gym session, keeping fit and active helps your body and mind to function better. This is obvious and we all need to do more physical activity. Get that body moving positively and your mental state will follow.
20. Eat and drink - feed your body and your soul. Stay hydrated! Healthy eating and a balanced diet are so important, but don’t be afraid to indulge in something you desire once in a while. Treating yourself is not a mortal sin. Everything in moderation of course.
If you have other tips or advice that have worked for you let me know. Also, if you try any of these tips I would love to hear if they work or what you think of them. Keep smiling.
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