There has been increasing evidence – unsurprisingly – that sales professionals and sales captains are working longer and longer hours, thereby putting health and family relationships at risk. This is not a topic that we can simply sweep under the carpet, it is not going to go away, and I am witnessing it more and more frequently, amongst friends, colleagues and clients.

Pressure to complete and meet the ever-increasing demands of customers (as well as the need to achieve higher sales quotas)  is forcing people to spend more of their time working.

Whilst stress does have its benefits, too much can cause errors of judgement, mistakes, accidents and damage to health. Some people are more vulnerable to stress from overwork than others.

American researchers have identified two types of managers – Type ‘A’ who, though thriving on stress, are vulnerable to its effects, and Type ‘B’ who rarely let events disturb them.

Not only are there Type ‘A’ managers but also Type ‘A’ organisations – is yours one?

Types A & B:

Type A:
• Try to do more and faster
• Concerned with speed, performance and productivity
• Tend to be aggressive, impatient, intolerant, hard driving and always hurried
• Preoccupied with time
• Start early
• Strong competitive tendency
• Always want to succeed
• More likely to have heart attacks

Type B:
• Easy going
• Take difficulties in their stride
• Spend time on what they’re doing
• Rarely harassed
• Less prone to heart attacks
• Take time to ponder alternative
• Usually feel there’s plenty of time
• Not as preoccupied with time

You will know which category description best describes you right now!

And Finally – Prime Time, When Are You At Your Best?

We all have a ‘prime time’ during the day when we are at our best and fully alert, the secret is to recognise this and complete those activities that require energy, application and thought, when you’re at your sharpest.

When energy is low, we are sluggish and tend to make mistakes, so watch what you eat – a heavy meal and wine make a lot of people sleepy; a healthy meal can provide energy for hours.

Work in periods of time; a maximum of an hour before you give yourself a break – this way you’ll concentrate better.

If you want help in identifying your time robbers, this originally titled article will help: “How To Identify Your Time Robbers”

Today’s News: As I mentioned yesterday, I am travelling home to Paris this w/e, which means I probably will not have time to post – but you never know! In the meantime, you might enjoy my post over at AllBusiness – “The Real Value of Networking”

Have a great w/e!! – JF

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