Between balancing workloads, managing relationships and family responsibilities, and maintaining our own outside interests, it is unsurprising that we feel overwhelmed at times. Despite this, many individuals also aim to achieve important professional development goals, like earning the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist® (CEBS®) designation.
During the day-to-day hubbub of life, it’s easy to forget the fact that as stress levels spike, productivity and concentration plummet. It is important for everyone to take care of their personal well-being while undertaking additional responsibilities. In order to maintain a well-balanced life while working hard to accomplish our goals, it is essential to understand the effects of stress and use time management and wellness strategies to stay on track.
Read on for key tips and strategies to manage your time and care for your well-being while pursuing professional development opportunities like CEBS.
Time Management
One key strategy for time management in regard to professional development is to set realistic goals. Being able to meet priorities helps us to feel a sense of accomplishment and control. Make yourself a “to do” list and prioritize tasks in order of importance. If you are unsure or feeling extremely stressed about the timeline you’ve set for yourself to complete a task, finish a course or even earn a professional designation, this may be a sign to reevaluate your goals and set more realistic expectations. Establish daily and weekly priorities for course completion, study and exam preparation on a timeline that fits best for you.
Setting clear boundaries for yourself can also be extremely helpful in managing both time and stress. Designate separate hours for work, study and relaxation, and stick to them. Plans, of course, may need to be flexible at times, but setting boundaries for yourself can help you focus better on the task at hand rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. Remember to factor in time for quality rest and relaxation!
If you aren’t already, try utilizing tools for time management like calendars, a weekly/monthly planner, or task management programs/apps to help you keep track of work and study hours. You’ll be less likely to forget an important deadline and more likely to complete goals on time if you write them down and/or set reminders for yourself. Tools like these can also help you maintain set boundaries for work and study while scheduling time for rest, relaxation or working towards wellness goals as well. Effective time management will help you to follow through with your goals and keep well-being at the forefront at times when stress is likely to be higher.
Stress Management
Try as we might, feelings of stress are sometimes unavoidable, especially when striving to accomplish personal or professional goals on top of normal responsibilities like work and caretaking. Minimize and manage stress by taking care of your health.
- Eat well.
- Be physically active.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Get proper sleep.
If you are experiencing heightened stress levels, it can be helpful to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves placing focus on the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Practicing mindfulness can help you react in a calmer way to your emotions and thoughts, including those that cause stress. Relaxing activities for practicing mindfulness include meditation, journaling and yoga. Doing other activities that bring you joy can also do wonders in combatting feelings of stress and contribute to mental and emotional well-being.
One of the keys to managing stress is to lean on others. We all get by with a little help from our friends. Whether you go to a family member, spouse, friend or fellow student, seeking and accepting the support of others is a great way to prevent undue stress. Having a strong, robust support system is invaluable as you pursue your professional development goals.
Be sure you know the signs of extreme stress and if or when it is necessary to get help from a mental health professional.
The Power of “No”
To maintain personal well-being, it is sometimes necessary to define your own limits. Learn when and how to say “no” to things that are not in support of your current goals or do not serve your best interests. Maintaining personal boundaries and rejecting things that are not in service of your well-being can ensure you protect your time and mental health, and it will ultimately help you to healthily achieve your goals.
Juggling all of your daily responsibilities can be difficult. Know that if you are experiencing issues managing time and/or stress, you are not alone. While the pursuit of lofty goals is not always easy, these periods will not last forever and the additional responsibilities will pass—although the skills practiced during this time can be used throughout your life. With a bit of practice and support, we can all maintain our best health and wellness while pursuing important personal and professional development goals.
Resources
Visit CEBS online for information about purchasing course materials, signing up for an Online Study Group, virtual exams and the program itself. Do you need further guidance on your CEBS journey? Whether you’re about to take your first step or getting close to earning your designation, we’re here to help! For assistance with the U.S. curriculum, give us a call at (800) 449-2327, option 3, or email [email protected]. To learn more about the Canadian curriculum, contact us at (833) 886-3749 or [email protected].
Manage Stress: Take Action (Department of Health and Human Services)
