6

Handle pressure positively

Pressure is something everyone experiences in the workplace at some point. As someone who is new, you may feel pressure especially when learning a new skill, speaking in a meeting, or taking on more responsibility. What matters is how you respond to this – will it motivate you or panic you?

Whilst pressure is often viewed negatively, a certain amount of pressure will actually help you to perform at your best.

Take a look at the diagram below. This shows the relationship between pressure and productivity.

As pressure increases, productivity often improves up to an optimal point. Beyond this point however, productivity declines as stress and overwhelm take over.

What to do if you have too little pressure

Look for ways to challenge yourself and stay engaged.

• Volunteer for new tasks
• Learn a new skill
• Find ways to improve how you complete your work

What to do if you have too much pressure

Take steps to regain control.

• Make sure you are prioritising your tasks effectively (use the Important vs Urgent matrix)
• Speak to your manager and ask for support if your workload is becoming unmanageable