How can you manage stress and pressure in a competitive business development environment?

To master stress, we must first understand it. That's where tools like a stress diary, SWOT analysis, or a stress audit come in. They're like a GPS for your well-being, helping you navigate the rocky terrains of stress and emerge stronger and more resilient. So, take the first step - illuminate your stressors and find your path to success.

Ask yourself, 'Do I like to sell?' If the answer is no, consider exploring other career paths. In my experience, I've realized that much of the stress I endured didn't stem from the competitive nature of the field but rather I didn't enjoy what I was doing. I fell into sales because I connected well with people, excelled in conversations, and was generally well-liked. While I continued down this path for those very reasons, I lacked passion, and, as time went on, I began going through the motions. Even then, I achieved moderate success. The point I'm trying to convey is the sales reps I've known who thrive in this field are rarely stressed; Why? Their love for what they do provides motivation and satisfaction that makes the job enjoyable.

Have we ever really known what sets off our stress? In most cases we attempt to manage it by simply avoiding it, only to find it resurfacing later, often with even greater intensity. Finding these triggers is a crucial first step in stress management. Our bodies and minds are complex devices that may take us on an emotional rollercoaster without our awareness. Take a pause, get out your pen and paper (I call emotional diary), and start writing. What's creating that stiffness that feels unsettling? Are the "what ifs" to blame? Is it the pressure of targets made to internal stakeholders, or the danger of a deal falling through to the competition? Find it and accept it. When issues are recognized, a burden is removed making space for solution

As rewarding BD / Sales is, the stress is an add-on to the job.. There are multiple stakeholders - customers, your manager, cross functional teams.. et Al adding to it. While understanding your triggers and working around it is good. But in the long run you need to have an alt hobby to remain sane / have your own me time and recharge yourself/ do something you love and enjoy.. my little boy makes me forget everything at the end of a hard day. Focus on your mental health and well being.

I would recommend journaling not only as a tool to raise self-awareness and pinpoint specific stressors but also a tool to identify activities or interactions that uplift us. This practice not only aids in understanding and mitigating our triggers but also empowers us to actively seek and reinforce positive coping mechanisms, enhancing our overall emotional wellbeing.

I go through phases where I can feel overwhelmed or stressor really impact my performance. I like to believe I require stress to perform optimally bit too much stress is damaging. The best way I have handled my stress is by ensuring I start my day by meditating spending time focusing on fueling my soul. Followed by exercising before I even touch any mobile device with the purpose of looking at work. I make a point of looking at my calendar at the end of the day to make sure I am somewhat prepared for what's to come. I try and be present in every moment, work/family and not blend the two, it's easier said than done, but that balance is key in a healthy life.

One of the things that creates stress is the fear that you might miss something. It is therefore important that at the start of the project you develop a comprehensive To Do / checklist. this helps to remove the stress that you might forget something. You should then focus on addressing each item in turn. This will allow you not to stress about the whole project, the whole time, but to just concentrate on one piece at a time, knowing that you have planned for each item to contribute to the end result.

Embracing the present moment is the cornerstone of an effective stress management plan. Remember, you're exactly where you're meant to be. What you've achieved was once a dream, a testament that all goals, too, will be conquered. Focus on the now, leaving the past behind and the future to come. To realize career aspirations, invest your energy in the present. For that boost of positivity, I visualize my day and include self-care activities like yoga, meditation, or even a little Zumba (my personal favorite). Set deadlines for your projects and prioritize them, taking pleasure in every little accomplishment. Fight the impulse to open your mailbox with every ping. Take on each task as it comes and savor the small victories.

"Hey there, go-getters! Work hard, but keep it light: Task Bites: Divide big tasks into snack-sized bites. YOLO-Balance: Work and play, no burnout allowed! #PositiveVibesOnly: Stay upbeat; negativity's so last season. Share the Load: Teamwork makes the dream work. Innovation Station: Get creative like a boss. Study Hacks: Keep learning, it's your power-up. Chill Time: Talk it out with pals. Vacay Mode: Vacation, not 'work-cation.' Brain Snacks: Give your brain breaks. Epic Wins: Celebrate, even small victories! Stay Inspired: Follow positivity on social. Keep hustling, stay fabulous! 💼😎🌟"

Unlock your full potential with a stress management plan. Identify stressors, take short-term actions (breathing, meditation) and long-term steps (goal setting, time management). Elevate your well-being and success!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: In 2015 I did cold-calling to Japanese companies looking for channel partners. I don't speak Japanese and I basically got the phone hung up on me some 20-30 times 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Without a growth mindset that would have been frustrating, however, it became my best anecdote and the low point where I changed the trajectory of my work 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 & 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Realizing the effort was “brave” but inefficient, I reallocated my travel funds, hiring a cheap but effective local agency to provide vital contacts and company info

Maintaining a growth mindset is essential for alleviating stress and pressure in a competitive business development environment. We embrace failures as valuable learning opportunities and take pleasure in confronting challenges since they compel us to step beyond our comfort zones. One aspect I find particularly beneficial is when the leader assumes responsibility when the team makes a mistake or an incorrect decision, offering support to the team members. This fosters a trusting environment that enables the team to experiment, make mistakes, and learn without the burden of stress and pressure.

I find that business development or sales, both of which have a huge overlap, means you will always get more no’s that yes’s. There is nothing wrong with that, your product is not for everyone -no matter how good you think it is-. Every experience and interaction is a learning and growth opportunity, if you treat it that way which requires intentionality and effort. There is no other way to deal with rejection or setbacks.

About 2014, I took up a new role in a Nigeria bank to drive epayments solutions and the portfolio assigned to my team was not performing. As the Head, I needed to really understand that sector of the business, what makes them thrive, the challenges the Companies in that sector face day to day and what solutions will solve such challenges. My team was able to crack the code that really helped drive revenue from zero to about $3million dollars in a year. Having a Growth mindset is important in our organization, understanding what it takes to also develope such its critically important.

Embracing a growth mindset has been my beacon in the tumultuous journey of shifting from fashion design to management consulting. It's about seeing challenges as opportunities, not roadblocks. By viewing every complex client interaction, demanding project, or steep learning curve as a chance to expand my skills, I've turned stress into a catalyst for personal and professional development. This mindset, grounded in the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, is essential for thriving in competitive environments. It's transformed my approach, making every setback a stepping stone to greater achievements. 🌱🚀🔝

In my own experience with many clients, the main source (~90%) of their stress is not something external, but their own actions and their past. Their inability to say no and to then take on tasks that can be easily shuffled away are the most dominant causes of their stress. See how much stress goes away when you learn how to say these three words: No, not now. Good luck!

For the longest time I told myself that work wasn't stressing me out. Then I started doing work on myself including therapy. Through that I work I learned my own dynamics of work and private life and I understood a lot about myself. My suggestion is in fact to avail of support services thatany companies nowadays offer, or seek the support of an external professional. I don't know what sports champion who doesn't have a coach. Why should business champions run solo?

This is a question that really has to be given much thought because each person is different. We all handle things differently and feel differently about things also. Handling stress in a competitive business environment involves strategy and mindset. Breaking task down, asking for help, delegating, and prioritizing is helpful. Most importantly at the end of the work day, turn off your work life and focus on your personal life daily. View challenges as opportunities and try to remain positive.

Prioritize self-care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular exercise. Set aside time for activities that you enjoy and help you relax, such as hobbies or spending time with loved ones.

Self-care is essential for maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves taking intentional steps to nurture and prioritize your own needs. Here are some self-care practices to consider: Physical Self-Care: Get regular exercise to keep your body healthy and release endorphins. Maintain a balanced diet to nourish your body. Ensure you get enough sleep to recharge and rejuvenate. Attend regular check-ups and prioritize your health.

Creative Self-Care: Engage in creative outlets that bring you joy, whether it's art, writing, music, or other forms of expression. Allow yourself to explore and express your creativity without judgment.

Celebrating your team and your achievement no matter how small is a fuel for positive attitude. Ensure that you share success with others.

Indeed, taking the time to celebrate your accomplishments is essential. You truly deserve it. When you do, share your achievements with those who have supported you and graciously share the credit with them. Express your gratitude, kindness, and thanks, not just to others but also to yourself. Take a moment to appreciate your journey, how far you've come, and let yourself be genuinely happy about it.

A focus on acheivements shifts the focus away from the stressor and onto the growth occurring because of or in spite of the stressor. This is the single best way to handle stress. You reinforce what you give your attention to. When I give my attention to my stressors: defining them and wringing my hands trying to mitigate them, I'm unintentionally strengthening them. When I instead shift my focus to my achievements, I am reinforcing the outcome of the struggle. It lessens the struggle and strengthens the goal or achievement.

Neglecting self-care has taken a toll on my well-being. It's time to prioritize sleep, regular exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness, hobbies, setting boundaries, and seeking professional help. Scheduling self-care is crucial. Let's make it a non-negotiable part of our lives for improved well-being and productivity.

There's immense strength in recognizing when you need help. Acknowledging the moments I couldn't manage stress alone was pivotal in my journey. Seeking professional help, whether a therapist, a coach, or a mentor, has been a game-changer. It provided me with tools to navigate the pressures of a demanding career shift and the challenges of a competitive business landscape. These professionals offer perspectives, strategies for resilience, and ways to handle stress tailored to individual needs. Embracing this support doesn't signify weakness; it's a smart strategy for long-term success and well-being. Remember, investing in your mental health is as crucial as investing in your career. 🧠💼🌟

Seek professional help if needed: If stress and pressure become overwhelming and persistent, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. They can provide guidance, coping strategies, and help you develop resilience in a competitive business environment.

Seeking professional help is a vital step when stress impacts health, performance, or relationships. It may involve counseling, coaching, mentoring, or therapy, which can uncover stress root causes, teach coping strategies, and offer valuable guidance. Don't hesitate to reach out to your employer, network, or healthcare provider to initiate this essential journey toward well-being. Your future self will thank you.

Not a huge fan, I once tried it and it got worse, so finding someone that can actually have an impact on you and make things better is also quiet a challenge, time consuming and energy consuming, which under stress can be often challenging , I found that sports and social activities tend to have better impact and results

Aphorisms from 18 years of anecdotes: 𝗨𝗽𝘀&𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀: Being in BD sucks...and it can also be amazing. You just need to live with that. 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻: You need to like hard problems and uncertainty more than others. The achievements will come but only if you learn to appreciate that pain. 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱: Preparation will always win, it is a battle of grinding uncertainty that you need to minimize through logic

I had a perforated ulcer at 28yrs old that required emergency surgery. Stress induced. This is an issue very important to me. I’d say the best thing to do is attack the problem at its source. The best way I’ve found to do this is to (1)develop a good temperament and (2) don’t take things personally. Stress spikes quickly when our natural response to problems and/or pressure is to get angry, emotional or elevated. A professional temperament will naturally help regulate these spikes in stress level. Another skill to develop is learning to not take things personally. Being able to effectively take feedback and not make things personal will help in a huge way. There will always be more problems, so focus on solutions. Stay positive.