Ginny Hunt: Stress Management In The Workplace

On October 24, 2024, Ginny Hunt of Seasons For Change Coaching gave a great talk to VBCBA members on the topic of "Stress Management in the Workplace." Her speaker notes follow below, so please excuse any typos or grammatical issues.

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I want to talk about something that many of us strive for but often struggle to achieve—work-life balance. We hear this term a lot, don’t we? It’s a phrase that promises harmony between our professional demands and personal responsibilities.

But if we’re being honest, how many of us have actually found that elusive balance? Show of hands?

And is it something we can truly attain, or is it a myth?

We live in a world that constantly pulls us in different directions—our careers, families, friends, personal ambitions, and even social media can all demand our attention at the same time. The idea of achieving perfect balance sounds great, but the reality is often far messier. There are seasons when work demands more of us, and times when personal matters take precedence. In these moments, the idea of “balance” can feel like an unattainable dream.
But maybe we’re looking at it all wrong. Maybe balance isn’t about perfectly managing everything......coming from the life planning Life Coach.....but about finding peace in the midst
of whatever season we’re in. And maybe that peace comes from something deeper than just a well-organized schedule.

We’ve all been through seasons of life where it feels like everything is tilted in one direction—whether it’s a work project that requires extra hours, or a personal crisis that demands our focus. And that’s okay. Life isn’t always evenly distributed. There are times when one part of your life will require more of your energy and time than another.

For example, during a busy season at work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and like you’re failing at keeping up with your personal life. Or maybe, when a family member is going through a tough time, work feels like an afterthought. These seasons of imbalance are natural, and in many ways, they’re unavoidable, like tornadoes ripping through our community. Who else is trying to find a new normal?

But here’s the real question: Can we control this imbalance, or do we need to learn how to live
with it in a way that doesn’t overwhelm us? Here’s where I want to shift the conversation. What if true balance isn’t found in trying to juggle everything perfectly, but in placing our trust in something—or rather, Someone—greater than our circumstances?

If we rely on our own strength to manage work, relationships, responsibilities, and everything in
between, we’re bound to burn out. But when we let God be our balance, everything changes. Scripture says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

This verse doesn’t promise an easier life, but it does promise rest in the midst of life’s challenges. When we let Christ be our center, we find that no matter how chaotic things are, we can experience peace and rest that surpasses understanding. Balance becomes less about external circumstances and more about the internal state of our heart.

There will always be seasons......holidays fast approaching.... Or when work requires more from us. And there will be times when our personal lives demand more attention. Instead of striving for a constant balance, what if we embraced those seasons with grace, trusting that God knows what we need in each moment? In the busy seasons, we can trust God for the strength to meet our responsibilities, knowing He is with us every step of the way. And in the quieter seasons, we can lean into rest, taking time to renew our spirits. Through it all, it’s not about maintaining a perfect balance, but about finding rest in the One who holds everything together.

So, does work-life balance really exist? In the world’s sense of the word, maybe not. Life is unpredictable and full of shifting demands. But the good news is, we don’t have to find our balance in perfect circumstances. We can find rest in the midst of imbalance, knowing that Christ is our peace. When we place our trust in Him, it doesn’t matter what’s going on around us. He provides the rest our souls need, whether we’re in a season of intense work or deep personal commitments. It’s not about controlling the unbalance, but about letting go and letting God be the center of it all.

I can end here or we can talk about how to actually find rest for our tattered souls and how to let
go....

How many of you felt overwhelmed just checking your phone this morning? Emails, texts, notifications... it’s a lot, isn’t it? It’s become our daily reality. Whether it's work demands, news updates, or social media notifications, it feels like we can never catch a break. No wonder so many of us are feeling stressed out and stretched thin.

We live in a world of relentless busyness. Notifications buzz constantly, and we are connected
24/7, not only to our own problems but to the entire world's. It’s as if life has no off switch.

We’re trying to keep up with our work, family responsibilities, and a never-ending stream of
information, all while carrying the weight of things beyond our control. It’s no surprise that stress and burnout have become so common in our lives today.

In the book, Get Your Life Back, it offers a way to step back from this madness and regain our sense of peace and balance. It doesn’t suggest that we unplug entirely or make drastic changes, but rather encourages us to incorporate small, intentional practices into our daily lives

that help us slow down and reconnect with what really matters. Today, I’ll share some of the key strategies it outlines for managing stress and finding The Calm within the Chaos. Our lives today have no boundaries. We’re always ‘on.’ The moment we wake up, we check our phones, dive into emails, scroll through social media, and follow the latest news. We’re expected to be available 24/7. There’s no clear line between our work, personal lives, and even the world’s problems. This constant pressure takes a toll on our mental and emotional health. Not only are we connected all the time, but we’ve become addicted to distraction. It’s a way to avoid facing uncomfortable emotions—things like fear, disappointment, or loneliness. Instead of
processing these feelings, we bury ourselves in busyness, which only compounds our stress
over time.

We were promised that technology would make our lives easier, but it’s done the opposite. Our attention spans have shortened, and our ability to focus has eroded. We live at the pace of our smartphones, while our souls crave time to breathe. This constant acceleration of life has left us frazzled and out of touch with ourselves. I want to introduce a powerful but simple practice called the ‘one-minute pause.’ I have used it for 4 years. Everyday? No, but the days I am consistent...it has been so fruitful. It’s exactly what it sounds like—taking just one minute to stop, breathe, and reset. It’s remarkable how something so small can make such a difference. It gives us a chance to step away from the stress and
reconnect with our inner calm, even in the middle of a hectic day.”

Another practice from the book is something called, ‘benevolent detachment.’ It’s about learning to let go of the things we can’t control, whether it’s a work deadline, a frustrating situation, or the overwhelming problems of the world. By releasing these burdens, we create mental space and reduce our stress.”

The 3rd Practice is Kindness:
Kindness, both to ourselves and to others, is one of the most underrated stress-relievers. The
book reminds us that we need to show ourselves compassion, especially when we’re feeling
overwhelmed. By allowing ourselves to take breaks, forgiving our mistakes, and being gentle
with our expectations, we can ease the pressure we put on ourselves.”

My Favorite is Get Outside:
We spend so much time indoors, staring at screens. We need to reconnect with nature, Creation, even in small ways. Research shows that spending time outside reduces stress and improves our mood. Whether it’s taking a short walk, sitting by a window, or spending a few moments in a park, being in Creation helps restore our souls.

Finally, it’s essential to create boundaries around our technology use. We need to step away from screens regularly and carve out tech-free times or spaces. Turning off notifications, scheduling times to check emails, or having tech-free zones at home can make a world of difference in managing our stress. All this starts with small, intentional steps. Maybe it’s trying a one-minute pause, or maybe it’s setting a limit on your screen time for the day. Even a simple walk outside can begin to restore your soul. Start with one or two practices, and notice how it shifts the way you feel.” I’d like to start with a simple question: how many of you have felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things on your to-do list or the constant notifications on your phone? Stress is a
reality for many of us, especially in today’s fast-paced, always-connected world. However, by learning how to manage our time effectively, we can take control of that stress and create space for what truly matters.

One tool that has really helped many people, including myself, is the Full Focus Planner, designed by productivity expert Michael Hyatt. Today, I want to share some of the powerful strategies from this planner that, when paired with good time management skills, can significantly reduce stress. First, let’s talk about setting goals and staying focused on the big picture. This Planner encourages us to set long-term goals, break them down into quarterly milestones, and then take action on them each day. This approach helps us avoid the trap of constantly reacting to the urgent but unimportant tasks that often fill our days.

One of the simplest but most effective tools in the planner is the "Daily Big 3." These are the top
three tasks you must complete each day to make progress on your bigger goals. By narrowing your focus to just three things, you can avoid overwhelm and decision fatigue, which are major contributors to stress.

Next, let’s look at Time Blocking, a technique which involves scheduling specific periods for focused work, meetings, and breaks. It’s a way to create structure in your day, so you know exactly what to work on and when. When you time block, you avoid the temptation to multitask, which is one of the worst things for our productivity and mental health. Multitasking leads to mental fatigue, which causes stress. Time blocking helps you stay in control and reduces the anxiety that comes from feeling
scattered or rushed. Every week, the Planner guides you through a review process called the Weekly Preview, where you reflect on your accomplishments, what worked, and what didn’t. You then plan your next
week accordingly.

Taking this time to reflect gives you a sense of control. It helps you see where you’ve been successful and where you need to make adjustments, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by last-minute surprises or unrealistic expectations. This is a powerful way to prevent stress and stay on track with your goals.
Another key technique is setting daily rituals—both in the morning and at the end of the day. The Planner encourages you to start and end your day intentionally, perhaps by reviewing your tasks or reflecting on your progress. A morning ritual helps you enter the day calmly, focused on what matters most, while an evening ritual allows you to close out the day with a sense of completion. These rituals create stability, reduce anxiety, and help separate work from personal life, preventing burnout. An important part of managing stress is recognizing your achievements. The Planner encourages you to celebrate your wins—whether they’re big or small. Acknowledging your progress prevents the feeling that you’re always behind and helps build a positive mindset. By
celebrating wins regularly, you start to reduce the pressure that stress places on your mind.

Another stress-busting strategy is building transitions into your schedule. Instead of jumping
from one task to another, allow space between meetings or activities. This gives you time to
regroup, handle unexpected issues, or just take a breather. Transitions are like a built-in stress
reliever, helping you avoid the feeling of being constantly rushed.

Finally, the Planner emphasizes an end-of-day shutdown routine. This is when you review your
tasks, prepare for the next day, and mentally transition out of work mode. It’s a simple but
powerful practice that prevents you from carrying unfinished work into your personal life,
allowing you to fully disconnect and relax in the evening.

The Planner offers a structured approach to time management that aligns your daily actions with
your larger goals. By incorporating techniques like time blocking, daily rituals, weekly reflections,
and transitions, you can manage your time more effectively, reduce stress, and maintain a
sense of peace in your life.

We can’t always control the chaos around us, but we can control how we respond to it. By
embracing these small practices, we begin to take back our time, our attention, and ultimately,
our peace. As John Eldredge writes in *Get Your Life Back*, ‘What we give our attention to is
the person we become.’ Let’s choose to give our attention to the things that bring life, joy, and
peace.

Thank you.