ImagineNations Network

Seth Burstein E

Industry: Entertainment/Recreation/Events
Boston, United States

This is an interesting question.  It all depends who is making the goals.  If they are self imposed goals, then relaxing the goals and making them more realistic is certainly a way to reduce stress. 

If they are externally imposed goals, I would say try to have clear and open communication with the person that is setting the goals.  Breaking larger goals down into smaller milestones, with corresponding dates of completion, is a way to make sure that you are on track to achieve your goals.  In this case, if you fall behind, you can increase your efforts to get back on track.  If this fails, it also give you the opportunity to effectively communicate with the person setting the goals, to keep them informed of your progress and to reassess the goals if necessary.

If you are working hard towards achieving your goals and there are external forces that are preventing you from succeeding, the person setting the goals (whether it be you or someone else), should take a step back, reassess and make sure the original goals are realistic and appropriate for the current circumstance.

on 8/5/10

Jaxi West ES

Industry: Business Consulting/Coaching
Arlington, United States

I am not sure any business goal is worth taking your life over. So I don't think it's the recommendation to reach a goal - this has to do with the individual and how they internalize work way too much - or put the stress on them above the norm that they need to.

There is more pressure in every industry in every country in this hypercompetitive world. Those that maintain healthy balance in their lives and keep perspective on all things will be the ones that don't have this stress. Eating a healthy diet, getting exercise and having an open communication platform wtih your employers is necessary. Having someone to confide in or talk with/share in your personal life also helps reduce stress and have a venting place, so to speak.

Anyone that is contemplating suicide in their job should have no problem confronting the person requiring the goals and letting them know this is too much pressure and they are not going to perform better under this unnecessary stress. So telling them to let up and let them know that you want to produce for the company just as much as they want you to produce should help start a good conversation for finding an agreeable goal.  What else does this person have to loose?  Either talk to their boss or kill themself? Really, talking to your boss is the obvious solution.

on 7/8/11