What IS The Strong Side of Stress? (and how can you benefit from it?)

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." ~ William James

When it comes to managing stress, we often overlook the importance of how we think about stress, and I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Most of us think of stress as something negative that should be avoided whenever possible, but what if we could instead use it as a catalyst for pushing boundaries, building resilience, and enhancing performance?

I call it The Strong Side of Stress, and in this short video I share what that means, along with a couple of ideas for transforming stress into success.

Watch the video below, or read the transcript that follows, and let me know how you capitalize on the strong side of stress.

Can we talk about stress? We all feel it—whether it’s work deadlines, family responsibilities, or just the everyday grind. And in today’s fast-paced, demanding world, stress is often talked about as a negative force to be avoided.

But what if I told you that stress isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, stress, when harnessed the right way, can be a powerful driver of growth and success.

I call it the STRONG SIDE OF STRESS and it’s an aspect of stress well worth exploring.

Think about it—stress pushes you out of your comfort zone. It may not feel good in the moment, but that’s where growth happens.

You may feel that adrenaline rush, or even a bit of fear and anxiety as you stretch toward that goal, but, when you know how to manage those ‘normal’ responses to stress, you know what else happens, your brain get sharper, your focus tightens, and you start working at a higher level.

When you control stress, instead of letting it control you, you can turn it into fuel for performance.

One of the best ways to capitalize on the ‘strong side’ of stress is to reframe it. Rather than seeing it as something overwhelming, start viewing it as a signal that you’re growing, that you're pushing boundaries. Stress often shows up when we’re on the edge of something big—whether it’s a promotion at work, a major life transition, or an epic adventure.

I felt it when I was in the middle of every long day on my epic Badger ride this summer. I was tired and stretched to my limits on those 80 and 100km days, BUT, I knew I had trained, so when it got challenging I reframed my mindset from “This is too hard.” to “Damn, I’m strong!” and cycled my way to the end of each day feeling proud of myself.

Another tip? Learn to use moderate stress to improve your focus. When you’re feeling the pressure of a deadline or a tough task, it’s a cue to dial in. Prioritize what matters, block out distractions, and use that energy to fuel productivity. FOCUS so you can finish, and check that to-do off your list!

And remember—proactive strategies can make a huge difference. Practices like mindfulness, regular physical activity, and time management aren’t just stress-reducers; they actually help you channel stress into something positive. They keep you grounded and help you move forward with clarity.

So, the next time you feel stressed, instead of pushing it away, ask yourself: How can I use this? How can this make me sharper, more resilient, more focused? Stress isn’t just something to survive. It can be a powerful tool for success. You’ve just got to know how to harness it.

By the way, I’ve developed a keynote around this very topic called (no surprise) The Strong Side of Stress and it’ll revolutionize not only how you think about stress, but how you act on it. Contact me for more information.

Until next time, I'm Michelle Cederberg, reminding you that in order to Ignite High Performance, sometimes you have to trust that you can thrive under pressure and turn stress into a stepping stone for success.

Hey, to take your awareness to a new level, check out my 'What's Your Motivation Type?' QUIZ!  Click the link and answer 5 quick questions to identify your Motivation Type, then get daily doses of inspiration based on your result, and all sorts of resources along the way.

BOOK ME TO SPEAK anywhere across North America RIGHT NOW and into the 2025 - keynotes, workshops, even 1:1 coaching. If you’d like to chat about how to bring me in to your organization to help your team eliminate burnout, increase engagement, and ignite high performance, pop me an email at hello@michellecederberg.com. I’d love to chat.

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Michelle Cederberg, Health and Productivity Expert, MKin, BA Psyc, CEP, CPCC Hall of Fame Speaker, CSP, Certified Coach & Best-Selling Author

ENERGIZING TEAMS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK

Using science-based strategies to eliminate burnout, increase engagement, and ignite high performance

www.michellecederberg.com 403-850-5589

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