How do you know if you are stressed? The most accurate indicator I know is losing one's sense of humour. When did you last laugh?

This is closely followed by aggression. If that doesn't improve things, apathy sets in.

My friend Martin, who runs his own production company and is always chasing broadcasting deadlines, says that he becomes calm and controlled on the surface but underneath is in turmoil.

Do you never seem to get done what you planned in the day? Do you consider that everyone around you is incompetent? If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps it's time to take stock and rethink your life - before a decision is made for you. Remember, death is nature's way of telling us to slow down.

We get stressed when our goals are blocked or delayed. That could be by the weather, or obstructive shareholders. Often it can be caused by a goal you have set which causes a conflict within yourself: "I want to lead a large first-class company but I don't want to relinquish any control." Sounds familiar?

You need to be clear in your mind what you are trying to achieve. Then set priorities - not confined to business - but to the whole of your life. I have noticed that those who never seem to know when to leave work have few interests to draw them away.

Reassess how much you can achieve well in a day. Increasingly, we over-estimate what is possible, ending each week feeling frustrated or inadequate. The best advice I was ever given, by a very wise colleague, was to learn to let the spinning plates drop - and then make sure that you fix things so they don't have to be spun again.

In this highly pressurised world, we are still only equipped with the body the Lord gave us to hunt animals and collect berries and grubs. If He had meant us to be in modern business, we would be faster readers, slicker negotiators and have a modem stuck to our chests.

Our bodies still respond in the old manner. So take some form of daily physical exercise to clear the mind, expel toxins and restore some harmony.

Finally, if you think that you are under great pressure running a business, remember those we employ. If they are given little control over their working lives, they will suffer the most stress and resultant illness.

You can tell that you are under pressure when you: rarely laugh; lose your patience quickly; fail to keep your promises; never get done what you planned; think everyone else is incompetent.

You can try: rethinking what you are trying to achieve in your business and personal life; reassessing how much you can do in one day; letting the spinning plates drop; getting a life outside work; taking daily exercise.

Another gem from our original magazine, published in March 1997. Of course, Ann might have included some additional stuff about nutrition today. But it is still good sense.

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