“Choose to be optimistic. It feels better.” – Dalai Lama***
Creating a calm work environment is not an impossibility. It’s true that there are a variety of personalities and attitudes in these surroundings but as leaders we have to try to maintain the stronger influence… no control… over the environment. Leaders set the tone; even if we don’t we have to figure out how to set it and keep it that way.
We should create the kind of work environment we wish to work in. That should be calm. I say that because some might believe that a high stress environment or an environment laced with chaos is the epitome of perfection. Well, unless you are a navy seal, a homicide detective or a sniper that is not the case and to be honest, even these professionals need to be calm in order to do their job well. A calm environment does not mean you are not busy but it does mean you are better equipped to get the job done and to do it well…for the long haul.
Do You Provide a Calm Environment?
There are a variety of things we can consider when assessing the amount and level of “Calm” in any areas for which we have responsibility. Communication with others, how directions are given, the tone used when problems arise and what is tolerated from others can, be the difference between a stressful environment that just gets more stressful as the day continues or that maintains a calm and pleasant feel no matter what is occurring.
I remember a manager I worked with years ago, Sue… loved her style and grace. She was a very good manager and an excellent leader. She could explain anything well making it all as plain as if she wrote the training manual herself. Sue appeared to take control of any situation easily and I never heard her raise her voice in anger or agitation. There was another manager that worked in the same division as this calm, well controlled manager. This person, Patti, was a bit more…no a lot more excitable. Patti was well meaning and good natured but when things went awry you could detect it in her voice, her tone, and the speed in which she spoke. I got anxious just listening to her talk and I might not have had any idea what the problem was. I always imagined staff in that work division had to prefer dealing with Sue.
Changes to the Environment
Keep your personal workspace neat and clean…I know, easier said than done. When I frequently had to juggle between meeting with people and getting work done, I had a habitual routine that worked well. I had one deep drawer in my desk that I kept empty. I would take my entire pile of work (papers, reference books, reports or whatever), put it in the drawer before meeting with anyone and could grab it and pull it out immediately after. In one fell swoop, my desk was completely clear. Everything else around my workspace was kept in order – a place for everything and everything in its place. People thought I was so neat!
Arrange your workspace or office in a way that is appealing to you, includes a plant or two and set up in a way that positions you to see who is walking in. Positioning and appeal are all important. Create an environment in which you want to work. This takes some pressure off and promotes greater creativity.
Improve the Lighting
Increasing the amount of sunlight in the area, helps to increase the release of serotonin levels in the brain. This boosts our mood and helps us become more focused and calm.
Benefits of Remaining Calm
The benefits of a calm relaxing environment can produce remarkable and quite favorable effects, including worker satisfaction, stamina and more. Some additional benefits of remaining calm are listed below and note these benefits are just as beneficial when experienced by others that you create this atmosphere for. Some might think it’s a lofty idea but this makes your business, your department, your church more competitive and a more desirable workplace. One can easily find research showing the following benefits one can experience from maintaining a calm demeanor:
• Increased Creativity
• Lower blood pressure
• Slower aging process
• May maintain better friendships
• Healthy nervous system
• Higher energy level
• Concentration
• More patience, tact and tolerance
• A better sense of inner strength
• Increased sense of self confidence
Ways to Keep Calm
There are a variety of things we can do to calm ourselves at the end of an evening but what about in the middle of a long day or in the midst of a busy project…planning session? In such cases we need quick and easy…
Write Things Down – Some people worry about the millions of things they have to do, as if that will help get it done. Sometimes the worry for me is more about remembering each “To Do” than it is the actual process of getting it done. The answer? Write it down. I find it helpful to carry a nice note pad, notebook or use my smartphone’s Notes section to write myself notes, lists or instructions. That may even include a quick outline of a more complex task that I unexpectedly received a sudden brainstorm for. Writing it down takes the pressure off my mind and stores it somewhere else. I can retrieve it later, instead of allowing it to take up unnecessary space in my thoughts.
Listen to Calming Music – What’s calming for you may not be calming for me, so choose what works for you. I love jazz music and it definitely relaxes me. My 20 year old daughter on the other hand says it puts her to sleep. This might be because I sometimes played jazz music when she was young in order to relax her and help her fall asleep when I was driving. Maybe when she is older it will serve as a calming agent and not a sleep agent (LOL).
Go For a Walk – When I work near the lake, taking walks in the summertime while looking at the water was sooo calming. When I got back to the office, my whole attitude was different. I was refreshed and prepared to address anything pending and all things unexpected! Not only that but my walks were usually in the afternoon so coming back from a walk always meant that the hours that remained in the workday were less than before I left. Walking is a form of exercise. Exercise helps the body release stress and looking at water helps with relaxation. If we can combine the two it’s a definite plus.
Pray – I mention this a lot but not enough can be said about taking a prayer break. It is simply having a little talk with God about whatever you need to talk about. The nice thing is that prayer can be done anywhere for Christians. Scientific research shows there is definite proof that prayer relaxes a person, regardless of their religion because it takes the focus off of the problem or stressor and places it on one who can handle it.
Notes – Reading something positive can be helpful when feeling stressed but why not do something as simple as post or hang something positive in your work area that can and will lift your spirits quickly upon reading it. Sayings like: “Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.” – Unknown; or “The best view comes after the hardest climb.” – The Random Vibez.
Closing Thoughts
I could tell you to use aromatherapy and decorate with the color green also but regardless of the many tips we pull from our arsenals, truth is, If we can remain calm we might be able to lead with calm and it might help others remain calm while trying to do the work we are encouraging them to do. Calm workers are happier workers and happy workers are more productive and hopefully long term workers. I don’t really need to say this but this applies to volunteers and family members as well. It ultimately boils down to this…
“Mistakes and pressure are inevitable; the secret to getting past them is to stay calm” – Travis Bradberry