It’s been good to focus on Communication and Motivation, DISC Style, these last few months. If you want to look over that helpful information, just click here for those past blogposts.
This past week, as we gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving, the subject of stress was already a common topic. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the holiday celebrations beginning and Christmas preparations, as well as all the things we wanted to accomplish before the end of the year, there are a lot of items added to the To Do List that need our attention and weigh on our minds.
I know there is already an inordinate amount of information on Stress. But I’d like to add some insight and a different way of approaching the subject.
Before I understood the DISC System and how it relates to Stress, I confess I held two major misunderstandings – first, I expected that if I was stressed by something, everyone else should be, too.
Then second, and even more dangerous, was my assumption that others would respond like I did to stress. It still took years for me to recognize “stress markers” in my own life. And I admit that even last week, I had an incident talking with a friend over the phone that stressed me. I was surprised at my emotions that came bubbling up and how I responded – until I started reviewing DISC and Stress and had an Aha! Moment… of course that is how I would respond!
My goal is to take the next month to discuss Stress and DISC Styles – both how each Style responds to stress and how each Style prefers to alleviate stress. The goal is to gain more awareness, insight and understanding, both of your own responses to stress as well as those around you. A special thanks to Extended DISC, Inc., for their insights.
Since each DISC Style is so very unique in their strengths and qualities, it is no surprise that each Style’s response to stress would also be unique. If you want a quick overview of each DISC Style, please note the Infographic attached. And remember, most people are a combination of DISC Styles, so you may see yourself in several of the next few blogposts.
This week, we will focus on the High D-Style’s responses to Stress:
- Gets impatient, since the D-Style’s goal is for things to get done NOW
- Can become aggressive
- Speaks more bluntly, even harshly
- Becomes more demanding in their expectations
As the High D-Style moves into this array of reactions, it is important to know how to alleviate the stress:
- Get more control, if it is possible to do this respectfully and appropriately
- Act independently, if the situation allows it
- Focus on goals and often the long-range perspective, as well as the value of relationships
- Step back and breathe; take a break from the situation if possible
- Engage in some physical activity
To put all the information on Stress and DISC Styles together, I’ve written a short e-book, “How to DISC Stress Goodbye for Good: Four Steps to Recognize and Alleviate Stress and Renew Yourself”. Just click here for more information.
QUESTION: Do these Stress Response Descriptors sound like how you respond? Or how someone near and/or dear to you tends to respond? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please feel free to share in the comment section below.
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