Deck 17: Managing Stress and Personal Problems

Question 1

What can be done to help Sid?

Answer 1

By allowing workers to decide whether or not they should nap and when they should nap could get tricky when it comes to scheduling. A proper policy must be in order so that there will still be a necessary amount of employers awake and running the day's workload at all times.
Ultimately the naps occur because workers are tired and tired workers are not productive workers, therefore they need a quick rest to continue on with their tasks. It should then be the job of the human resources department to create an effective policy that alleviates worker fatigue without diminishing productivity.

Question 2

If you were Sid's boss, what might you do to help him

Answer 2

As director of human resources, it is under this individual's authority that measures be made to facilitate the wellbeing of the company's employees.
In Geomania, the question is whether and how to implement a napping policy, and the following is a good assessment of making such a policy-
• Whether or not: Yes, because the employees will nap whether or not given official permission, as proven.
• When: During the employee's scheduled breaks. These naps should not exceed 30 min (should the employee decide to take it during their lunch break).
• Where: Appropriate resting areas (screened cots) will be set up in the employee break room.

Question 3

An office manager in an emergency room, and a mother of young triplets, said she knew she was emotionally drained and stressed out because of all her responsibilities. She said she knew that she should manage her stress better, but she simply did not have the time. What advice can you offer this woman?

Answer 3

The woman is suffering from role overload, and this burdensome workload can create stress in two ways:
1. Fatigue and irritability.
2. Feeling continuously overwhelmed and behind.
There are three pieces of advice that could really help in lessening the woman's stress:
1. Delegate responsibilities to subordinates at work so she doesn't have to micromanage everything, ultimately lessening her burden.
2. Having support at home (from either her partner or hired help) to maintain the wellness of her triplets.
3. Learning ways to help her relax (e.g. going to the gym, yoga, mediation, quiet time to herself), and incorporating that into her schedule.

Question 4

Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Most people engage in some behavior that could be selfdefeating, sometimes to a major degree. For example, hundreds of otherwise rational people are seriously injured every year because they climb on their roof to clean a gutter or replace a shingle. Also, many people walk out into traffic or bump into a lamppost or building while sending or receiving a text message. Another example is that some wellto- do people cannot resist the urge to shoplift occasionally. If you engage in no self-defeating behavior or behavior that is potentially self-defeating, you are exempt from this exercise. For all others, answer the following four questions:
What is my most self-defeating behavior, even if the behavior is infrequent or only has the potential to be self-defeating?

Question 5

Why might attaining the career goals you have established for the next five years or so be stress-reducing?

Question 6

Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Most people engage in some behavior that could be selfdefeating, sometimes to a major degree. For example, hundreds of otherwise rational people are seriously injured every year because they climb on their roof to clean a gutter or replace a shingle. Also, many people walk out into traffic or bump into a lamppost or building while sending or receiving a text message. Another example is that some wellto- do people cannot resist the urge to shoplift occasionally. If you engage in no self-defeating behavior or behavior that is potentially self-defeating, you are exempt from this exercise. For all others, answer the following four questions:
If this behavior continues or becomes exaggerated, what are the consequences to my career and personal life?

Question 7

What is the reason that so many people who win a fortune in a lottery wind up having more stress than in their previous life? (Some big lottery winners become so depressed they commit suicide.)

Question 8

Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Most people engage in some behavior that could be selfdefeating, sometimes to a major degree. For example, hundreds of otherwise rational people are seriously injured every year because they climb on their roof to clean a gutter or replace a shingle. Also, many people walk out into traffic or bump into a lamppost or building while sending or receiving a text message. Another example is that some wellto- do people cannot resist the urge to shoplift occasionally. If you engage in no self-defeating behavior or behavior that is potentially self-defeating, you are exempt from this exercise. For all others, answer the following four questions:
What action steps can I take to overcome this self-defeating behavior?

Question 9

Assume that a professional-level worker, such as a customer service representative, is convinced that napping during the workday is an excellent way of managing stress. Where should this person nap?

Question 10

Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Most people engage in some behavior that could be selfdefeating, sometimes to a major degree. For example, hundreds of otherwise rational people are seriously injured every year because they climb on their roof to clean a gutter or replace a shingle. Also, many people walk out into traffic or bump into a lamppost or building while sending or receiving a text message. Another example is that some wellto- do people cannot resist the urge to shoplift occasionally. If you engage in no self-defeating behavior or behavior that is potentially self-defeating, you are exempt from this exercise. For all others, answer the following four questions:
What help can I get to overcome my self-defeating behavior?

Question 11

How can a person who becomes stressed from having to interact with coworkers several hours a day compete in the modern world?

Question 12

Why does a simple act like emptying a wastebasket or cleaning out and washing one's car reduce stress for so many people?

Question 13

What is the difference between making a bad mistake once and self-defeating behavior?

Question 14

What is the difference between making a bad mistake once and self-defeating behavior?

Question 15

Give an example of self-defeating behavior engaged in by a business executive or public-office holder. What appear to be the negative consequences to the person's career stemming from the self-defeating behavior?

Question 16

Imagine that a student receives an F in a course. What can he or she do to be resilient

Question 17

What sources of stress does Rachel Mendez appear to be facing?

Question 18

What do you recommend Mendez do about the stressors she is facing?

Question 19

Given that Mendez does not have a heart problem, should she be concerned about the stressors in her life? Explain your answer.

Question 20

In what ways is Sid self-defeating?