Stress Can Break You—Or Build You. Here’s How Wala Turned It Around

Stress can break your focus.

But it can also sharpen your skills if managed well.

Wala, a dedicated professional, faces chaos every time her boss suddenly changes work procedures. Uncertainty, rushed adjustments, and poor communication weighs on everyone. For Wala, frustration bubbles over.

Her initial reaction? Firing off sharp emails or storming into the office, only to regret it later. These reactions strained her work relationships and left her feeling stuck.

Until one day, after yet another tense exchange, Wala chose to change. She realized she couldn’t control others but could control herself.

Here’s what worked for her:

Feel It, Don’t React to It

Work triggers emotional responses.

Frustration from last-minute changes or anxiety over tight deadlines is normal. But immediate reactions often worsen the situation.

Wala adopted a three-step strategy to handle her emotions:

1️⃣ Pause Before Responding Stop. Step away. Let your emotions settle before acting.

2️⃣ Focus on the Bigger Picture Ask yourself: Will this matter in a week? Does reacting now help?

3️⃣ Respond Constructively Choose clarity over confrontation. Frame your responses around solutions, not frustrations.

Why This Skill Matters

Wala’s transformation improved her workplace interactions and boosted her emotional intelligence. She mastered the art of calm communication, which helped her:

• Build better team relationships
• Communicate effectively under pressure
• Make thoughtful decisions

Her story reminds us all: pausing can turn frustration into progress.

Next time workplace stress knocks, think of Wala.

A small pause could change everything.

And now, here are 5 examples of reactive statements and how they can be reframed into solution-focused responses:

Scenario 1: Missed Deadlines

Reactive Statement: “This is the third time you’ve missed the deadline. How can I trust you?”

Reframed Response: “I noticed the deadline was missed. Let’s identify what challenges came up and how we can address them moving forward.”

Scenario 2: Unexpected Changes

Reactive Statement: “Why do you always change things last minute? This is impossible to keep up with!”

Reframed Response: “The changes came at the last minute, which can be tough to manage. Can we discuss ways to better prepare for adjustments in the future?”

Scenario 3: Unclear Instructions

Reactive Statement: “I don’t understand what you want. Your instructions are so confusing!”

Reframed Response: “I’d like some clarification on the instructions to ensure I meet expectations. Could we go over the details together?”

Scenario 4: Overlapping Responsibilities

Reactive Statement: “This isn’t my job. Why am I being asked to do this again?”

Reframed Response: “I noticed this task overlaps with my usual responsibilities. How can we align roles to make sure nothing falls through the cracks?”

Scenario 5: Lack of Recognition

Reactive Statement: “No one ever acknowledges the work I do. What’s the point?”

Reframed Response: “I’d appreciate feedback on my contributions to understand how they align with the team’s goals. Could we set a time to discuss this?”

Each reframed response focuses on understanding, collaboration, and forward-thinking, turning potential conflict into opportunities for growth and connection.

P.S. Which reframe (1 to 5 above) is most helpful for you?

Share your thoughts below.