Stress Vs. Productivity
There’s a fine line - is stress really good for your productivity?
The connection between stress and productivity is well known and well documented right back to 1908 when the link was first discovered and the facts remain the same - too much stress and burn out occurs, too little stress and productivity goes down. So where is the sweet spot?
According to the World Economic Forum, stress does give us better focus but only up to a point. That sweet spot is really up to the individual or the organisation to ensure “going the extra mile” isn’t having a toll on health and wellbeing. This is particularly evident when ‘the extra mile’ isn’t just one, but turns into two, three, five, ten miles - ultimately becoming an all-out marathon, a never-ending rat-race.
If you’re constantly going the extra mile for certain customers, it might be time to reassess what you do for them and to renegotiate the terms of your delivery. If you’re feeling resentful of the interactions that’s a sure sign that it’s time to have a check in.
Over delivering and undercharging is common when we first start out in business or a new role because we have something to prove - that we can be the best. However, short bursts of high productivity are preferable to ongoing, lingering stress when gaining those new customers or building those new relationships. Here’s three tips to help keep productivity on track while also charging what you’re worth:
Set boundaries - know what you will do and what you will charge or be paid for before you sign up that new customer;
Package up your products - rather than charge an hourly rate, consider what you will take as a minimum and consider packaging up your services or products together as bundles;
Have a plan - go after the customers you really want in the longer term and set a time limit to get them.
Working longer hours doesn’t always equate to better results - use your time efficiently.
Your value isn’t attached to what you do, it’s attached to who you are.
So many entrepreneurs and business people attach what they do to who they are. It’s just not true. Your value existed from the moment you were born. Your very existence is enough and what you bring is always unique because you are unique.
If you want to explore the topic of over delivering and under charging, listen to our latest podcast for ways to repackage or rework your offering so that you feel paid what you are worth.
Your worthiness is your birthright - Claim it!
The Blueprint Bosses Podcast
Each month we come together and talk about a business topic and give insights on how we can improve or change ways we do business. Find us on Spotify.
