Manage Your Stress ...

Stress is the #1 issue in all industries... and radio is no exception. Regardless of age, gender, race or job, the self-imposed emotion of stress is at the top of everyone's list. It can lead to anxieties, heart disease, heart attacks and depression.

Radio is work, but it doesn't have to be mental anguish or like training for an "Iron Man" competition. We are all under stress to differing degrees, but the key is balance. Here's a conversation I had with an air personality at our recent WWRS conference in Los Angeles that led to this e-mail exchange.

Jock: I am in the process of putting together a syndicated show and there never seems to be enough time in the day to get all the work done. I am working part-time at the station, driving Uber on the side, I have two kids, and my wife works. I would like to devote three or four hours every day to working on my dream, but the stress is causing me to fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I need time with my wife and my daughters and lately the station has needed me more; my head is spinning like a top. But becoming syndicated is important to me. The whole lack of time thing is eating me alive. I'm always exhausted. It would be easier if the station would just give me a full-time slot. I need to know if you think I have what it takes to be syndicated.

Coach: There are a couple things I need -- an aircheck demo of your work and tell me more about your background. But for now, I can tell you this, it sounds like you're stressed out. Send me the things I need to hear, and then I can advise you on the direction of your syndication goal.

Jock: I just want to say that I leaned a lot at the conference and met so many people willing to share with me as you are. I get all wound up and I'm trying so hard to understand how to get ahead in this business.

Coach: I love your passion, but you are stressing way too much. Achievement is not worth killing yourself over. Based on what you've told me, you need to get your stress under control. If you do, it will increase the possibility to be more productive. Helping you reach your on-air goals will work a lot better if you learn to take your intensity down a notch. Studies have shown productivity drops in people under stress.

Here are some suggestions I hope will help:

1. If you have not done so already, make a list of daily activities and organize them in order of importance. Realistically estimate the amount of time each task takes and set up a schedule. Setting up a routine will help put you at ease and put some order in your life. Believe it or not, I learned this from my golf coach. H always says, "Life is like golf, it's one shot at a time." I've adopted, adapted, and transitioned his words to "Living is one moment at a time, the more we organize, the less chaotic."
2. Put exercise on your "To Do," list; research has shown people who exercise regularly are mentally sharper. Even if it's just walking for 30 minutes a day three times a week. No excuses; make the time.
3. Eat healthy foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and don't skip meals. Stay away from donuts and soft drinks in the morning. If you need help on putting together healthy meals, just go online and Google healthy meals, especially breakfasts.
4. When the unexpected happens, do not let it throw you way off your game plan. Deal with it and adjust.
5. Try and keep realistic expectations with everything you do and take the time to enjoy your friends and family.

Jock: My wife has been on me about stressing, too. I never realized it might be holding me back some. Guess I better get busy reading up on getting myself together.

Coach: Yes, but it will defeat the purpose if you start stressing on being less stressed.

Conclusion ...

You can get more done and think more clearly if you learn to step away for a few moments every day. Personally, golf yoga, and listening to sports on the radio helps me focus. Find a way to handle stress; do not let stress handle you.