Real Stress Relief Solution: Are You A Hyperperformer?

There is a big difference between a stressed workaholic and a 21st century hyper-performer, or someone who gets things done without stress!

It is valuable to have methods to assess where you are and then make some changes if you are motivated. Here is a short quiz to see if you are performing high:

YES / NO I need less than 8 hours of sleep per night.

YES / NO When I eat alone, read or work.

YES / NO My job is the most satisfying part of my life

YES / NO I am usually energetic.

YES / NO I would work as hard as I do now, even if I were wealthy independently.

YES / NO I can work at any time.

YES / NO I can work anywhere.

YES / NO I consider my work to be my recreation.

YES / NO I work more than 50 hours a week.

YES / NO I have a daily “to do” list.

YES / NO I find retirement to be a dirty word.

YES / NO It is not uncommon for you to work during the holidays.

YES / NO I am healthy

YES / NO I often cancel social appointments to get more things done.

YES / NO I am basically happy.

YES / NO I find the distinctions between work and free time to be vague.

YES / NO I am in control of my life.

YES / NO My participation in the work causes problems for my family / friends.

YES / NO I can easily move to a new project before completing the current one.

YES / NO I am optimistic about my life.

SCORE: 16 + YES You are a great performer

12-15 You are hyper on the edge

11 or less Currently not a high performer

Do what you love, live a long life!

For hyperrealists, job satisfaction, the feeling of achievement is a path to happiness. As Theobald finds in his study of 60 CEOs, most are happy, alert, and free of the symptoms and poor health that stress and overwork are supposed to cause.

For many, working too much is perceived as harmful and certainly not healthy. That notion is wrong. The Duke University Longitudinal Study of Aging found that job satisfaction and joy at work are the strongest predictors of longevity.

Control is the key

A Georgetown University study found that most senior executives do not collapse from overwork; in fact, they live longer than most people.

What kills does not work. What do I kill without being in control? When you do what you want, you are in control.

Control over one’s own direction of work life appears to be a critical factor separating the unhealthy and less effective people who suffer the damaging effects of excessive stress and overwork from the hyper-achiever. Control is essential to avoid disease.

An exercise to gain control

If you are feeling out of control, we have found that teaching an active relaxation process has given many of our clients the first appearance of control they have felt in years. Deep relaxation is the opposite of the fight or flight response, the opposite of stress!

Here’s a short summary of that process for you to try:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and look for an object, a place or any visual focus in front of you and fix your concentration on that place.

2. Breathe comfortably for a slow count of 5, hold your breath for a count of 5, and then slowly release your breath for a count of 8.

3. Consistently gather tension in every important part of your body and then deliberately release it:

• Begin by directing the tension to the feet / toes.
• Next, your calves / thighs
• Groin and abdominal muscles
• Chest and back muscles
• Lungs: Imagine that black smoke is inhaled, hold it, and then breathe it in completely, squeezing out all the air.
• Clench your fists, hold it, and then exhale the tension as you release your fists.
• Harden our arms then release the tension
• Now your shoulders and neck
• Finally, focus on your face and head and as the muscles tense and tense, imagine your face as a mask that can be undone.
• Take a deep breath as you turn your head from side to side and roll your shoulders a little.

Notice any differences in your mood or thoughts. Watch out for tingling in your hands and feet. As you repeat this process, you will find that it takes less and less time to reach the same level of relaxation. The fundamental thing is that you practice it daily.

To learn a complete routine and program for becoming a healthy hyperperformer, visit http://www.realstresssolutions.com.