Page 45 - Ai Book - 10

You are aware that stress is a normal thing that happens to everyone from time to time. We should not
allow it to hamper our daily activities. So whenever possible, go out and enjoy small things in life. Plan fun
outings with family and friends. Go on vacations and holidays as it helps us to reconnect with ourselves and
helps us to get back to feeling our best. People who take out time regularly to relax, experience less stress
and are able to work with renewed creativity and productivity.
Even in day to day activities, do not keep a very serious outlook towards life. Learn to enjoy small things in
life and laugh as much as possible. These things energize us and help us to handle more stress as and when
it comes.

u Taking Nature Walks: Nature has a healing capacity. When we are in the lap of nature, we do not feel
fatigued or stressed. If we take out time for nature walks, it tends to reduce our stress levels.
Most of us stretch ourselves beyond our capacity. This leads to stress. If we break our working hours into
parts with brief breaks in between, then we can take time out for nature walks and break the monotony of
daily cumbersome routine. The freshness will help us to focus on our work better. A nature walk of five to
ten minutes after two hours of continuous work is enough to pep us up.
Taking a walk in a park with greenery and birds and small animals around shifts the brain into a calmer
meditative state. As per recent research, spending time in nature is linked to stress reduction. Besides
brisk walking among the nature also boosts the secretion of endorphins in the body that reduces our stress
hormones and healing mild depression.

ABILITY TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY

When we can plan and organise our day and tasks ourselves, initiate change to work practices or policies in our
own personal working style; when we can understand the operational environment and adapt accordingly, and
when we can act proactively and with integrity, then we are said to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Importance of the Ability to Work Independently

One of the abilities that you need the most for success is to work independently. A good start is by carefully
thinking about your own learning style. To work independently means:
u being self-aware, self-monitoring and self-regulating.

u knowing what you need to do.
u taking the initiative yourself rather than waiting for instructions.

u doing what is asked to do to the best of your abilities, without the need for external prodding.
u working until the job is completed.
u learning to work at your own pace.
u accepting your mistakes without looking for excuses.

u not allowing self-doubt or negative emotions affect your efficiency.
Skills Needed to Work Independently

Whether you call it freelancing or working independently or self-employment, the important thing is that you
are able to work efficiently. To be able to work independently for yourself, you should have some skills.
In addition to the skills in your field of specialization, you must be able to manage yourself and your work. The
followings are the necessary skills that you need to have to be able to work independently:

u Organizational Skills: To do any work properly a certain degree of organizational skills is an essential
requirement to know where everything is and how to finish everything on time.

39
39