How Well Do You Handle Stress?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  You’ve got two days left to finish an important task for a client, so you’ll have to work even harder and faster than usual to succeed. Do you: 

  • A.
    Use the deadline to focus and energize you, but make an extra effort to rest and reset as soon as you can? 
  • B.
    Tell the client that you won’t be able to get this task done on time – without causing yourself harmful stress? 
  • C.
    Relish the stress, as you only achieve your best results when you’re under pressure? 
• 2.
  You’ve been put in charge of a project that’s going to take several weeks to complete. Do you: 

  • A.
    Delay starting the bulk of the work, because you need last-minute stress to motivate you? 
  • B.
    Plan a timeline that gets everything done well before the deadline? 
  • C.
    Have a plan in your head, but don’t write it down or share it with others – to avoid creating unnecessary pressure? 
• 3.
  Extra work has come in this morning, and it all needs to be done today – but your To-Do List is overloaded. Do you:

  • A.
    Delegate or share some of your tasks, calling on people that you can trust to do them well? 
  • B.
    Wait to see if you feel stressed, then ask others in your team for help? 
  • C.
    Work harder to get it all done yourself, as giving up control only makes you feel more stressed? 
• 4.
  You’ve received some harsh criticism from a customer, and it’s made you question your ability. Do you:

  • A.
    Think instead about all the positive comments you’ve received in the past, to put the negative remarks into perspective? 
  • B.
    Make every effort to ignore your worries, and immerse yourself in your work? 
  • C.
    Challenge your thoughts, and see if you can reframe any negative ones to boost your confidence? 
• 5.
  A friend at work has suggested that you have a walk together this week. Do you:

  • A.
    Make room for it in your diary by shifting some tasks that can wait? 
  • B.
    Say that you’ll have a chat on the phone instead, to avoid adding to your stress by stealing time from work? 
  • C.
    Pencil it in – but only go if you manage to clear everything else off your list first? 

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Stress Management Rating: WEAK

  Image Source

  It looks like you struggle to handle stress – and that can have a negative impact on your performance and your health. If stress isn’t dealt with effectively, it can leave you feeling anxious or panicked, lead you to make mistakes, and stop you enjoying your job. But there are plenty of things that you can do to regain control – by being more organized, managing your thoughts, and finding your own ways of staying strong under pressure. Our article Managing Stress has a wealth of useful tactics and tips.Mind Tools has hundreds of resources to help you to manage stress and be happy and efficient at work. Visit our Stress Management skill area to find out more.Head to the Mind Tools Store before July 1 and save 20% on our How to Overcome Stress workbook using code WELLBEING20.
• 2.
  Stress Management Rating: AVERAGE

  Image Source

  It looks like you do OK at managing your stress – but you could do better. With the right approach, you can start spotting the warning signs of damaging stress, and take the right steps to stay in control. Our article Managing Stress will give you extra ways to handle stressful situations. It explains what to do, how to think, and when to get help from others, in order to stay on top of stress in every area of your life.Mind Tools has hundreds of resources to help you to manage stress and be happy and efficient at work. Visit our Stress Management skill area to find out more.Head to the Mind Tools Store before July 1 and save 20% on our How to Overcome Stress workbook using code WELLBEING20.
• 3.
  Stress Management Rating: STRONG 

  Image Source

  It looks like you’re good at handling stress, and you can prevent challenging situations from causing you harm. You try to head off stress, but still manage to think and act effectively if it occurs. And you know how to work with others, to help everyone thrive under pressure. Keep enjoying the benefits of your stress-busting! And see our article Managing Stress for even more ways to stay calm, confident and in control.Mind Tools has hundreds of resources to help you to manage stress and be happy and efficient at work. Visit our Stress Management skill area to find out more.Head to the Mind Tools Store before July 1 and save 20% on our How to Overcome Stress workbook using code WELLBEING20.