Stress Part I: Not All Stress Is Bad

by John R. SedivycloseAuthor: John R. Sedivy Name: John R. Sedivy
Email: john@capecodbranding.com
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This article begins a two part series discussing misconceptions concerning stress. Most believe that stress is a bad thing, given the amount of bad press it has received, probably for good reason. But not all stress is bad. Everything in moderation – including stress. I had first learned this truism back as a newly promoted sergeant in the Marine Corps. As a Marine, as one advances through the leadership ranks the Marine is sent to a leadership academy, or school to better prepare the newly promoted Marine for their new rank. As a sergeant I was sent to non-commissioned officer, or NCO school, where one of the most important pieces of knowledge I had learned was – “a little bit of stress is a good thing.”

Moderation in all things – not too much, not too little – just enough. If you are not stressed to some extent you are not growing. Life should not be a breeze, without any challenge – what would be the point? On the other hand, one should not be challenged incessantly – one needs to enjoy life – an important aspect of this enjoyment is relaxation, a point where a person can let their guard down, reflect, and prepare for the next set of challenges.

Tension & Meaning
Recently I had come across this same concept of good stress in Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning”. Consider the following:

“Thus it can be seen that mental health is based upon a certain degree of tension, the tension between what one has already achieved and what one still ought to accomplish, or the gap between what one is and what one should become. Such a tension is inherent in the human being and therefore is indispensable to mental well being. We should not, then, be hesitant about challenging man with a potential meaning for  him to fulfill. It is only thus that we evoke his will to meaning from its state of latency.”

Take note that Viktor Frankl is a trained psychiatrist, which you may have guessed by the nature of the clinical language used. However his point is simple, and consistent with what I had learned earlier in NCO school – “a little bit of stress is a good thing.” The good stress originates from setting goals, goals that challenge or provide “tension” which cause the individual to stretch to a new level of being. Essentially, this stress through goal setting allows the person to improve themselves and thus reach a new level , and therefore fulfill their meaning, or perhaps strive towards a new meaning.

Determining Your Optimal Stress Level
The concept of good stress has worked well for me in my life. It has allowed me to become a better person over time by growing and setting goals towards achieving new meaning in my life. Although sometimes I have had to adjust as I have taken on too much stress. As one experiences various types and levels of stress it is easier to adjust to the optimal amount for the individual. Determining the right amount of stress and goals in your life comes with knowing yourself – to learn more about the importance of knowing yourself and to learn how to get to know yourself better, refer to my article “Knowing Yourself.”

To Be Continued…
Tomorrow I will inform you as to why balance may not necessarily be a good thing. In addition, learn more about the arch, and why your life should resemble an arch to some degree.

Instead of trying to eliminate stress, strive to align stress to your overall objectives!

-John R. Sedivy of Cape Cod Branding

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