While I work with a stress that I don’t deal with well, I’ve realized that a motivation arise when I face difficulty. of course, stress have two sides.
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Your observation aligns with a well-established understanding in psychology regarding stress, motivation, and performance. The relationship between stress and performance can be visualized as an inverted U-shaped curve known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Low Stress Levels: At very low stress levels, motivation and performance tend to be low. A person might feel indifferent, unchallenged, or even bored. There’s little impetus to act or change.
- Moderate Stress Levels: As stress levels increase to a moderate degree, so does motivation and performance. This is the “sweet spot” where people often feel challenged, alert, and engaged. The difficulty can act as a catalyst, prompting you to muster resources, focus, and push through.
- High Stress Levels: However, past a certain point, if stress levels continue to increase, they can become overwhelming. At very high levels of stress, performance starts to decline. People might feel anxious, scatterbrained, or even burned out.
Understanding this relationship can be immensely beneficial:
- Self-awareness: Recognize where you are on this curve. Are you under-challenged, in the zone, or feeling overwhelmed?
- Reframe Challenges: Recognize that a certain level of difficulty can be beneficial. Instead of viewing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, see them as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Stress Management: It’s essential to have tools and strategies in place to manage stress. This might include physical exercise, meditation, hobbies, social connections, or seeking professional guidance.
- Break Tasks into Manageable Pieces: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. Celebrate small victories to keep motivation up.
- Seek Balance: While moderate stress can be motivating, it’s also essential to ensure you have periods of relaxation and recovery. Balance is key to sustained performance and well-being.
Remember, stress isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s your perception of stress and how you manage it that determines its impact on your life. Embrace challenges as they come, but also ensure you have the tools and strategies in place to navigate them effectively.