Spotting stress overload

The Yerkes-Dodson performance-stress curve tells us that we need a certain amount of stress to stimulate us and enable us to enter the ‘achievement’ zone where we perform at our best, are inspired to think and act creatively, and find satisfaction in our work and lives.  

With too little stress, or stimulation, we can find ourselves bored and listless.

Of course, most of us are more familiar with the other end of the curve and the negative impacts of excessive stress. 

When working with clients, I often use the scale below to help them recognise when they might be sliding towards the crisis end of stress.  In my experience, clients sometimes don’t realise that they are in a constant state of unhealthy stress.

My work focuses on the whole person and supporting them in managing the emotional, intellectual, the physical and the spiritual so they can get back to ‘thriving’ and can perform creatively, consistently and be at their best in leading their business and their people.