We are now going to move from traditional stress busting actions described in Chapter 1-A and excerpted from The Brain Training Revolution by Paul Bendheim, MD. to a non-traditional technique to lessen stress by concentrating on how close one lives to their values.
A Definition of Stress: Straying from too many of your values for too long a period.
Values Defined: Principles, standards, and qualities versus a specific person, place, object, or goal.
Identify Your Work Values!
Set aside time to give serious thought to where the work values (paid or volunteer work) that you have developed over your life span that are listed below fit for you on a scale of 1 (absolutely NOT a work value for me) to 10 (absolutely IS a work value for me). You do not have to be working or plan to be working to benefit from completing this exercise since it is a guide to what you have valued in work and in general.
Help Society_____
Independence_____
Moral Fulfillment_____
Location_____
Communication_____
Physical Challenge_____
Time Freedom_____
Help Others_____
Public Contact_____
Work with Others_____
Affiliation_____
Friendships_____
Competition_____
Make Decisions_____
Work Under Pressure_____
Power and Authority_____
Influence People_____
Work Alone_____
Knowledge_____
Intellectual Status_____
Artistic Creativity_____
Creativity (general)_____
Supervision_____
Change and Variety_____
Precision Work_____
Stability_____
Security_____
Fast Pace_____
Recognition_____
Excitement_____
Adventure_____
Profit, Gain_____
The Complete Job Search Handbook, Howard Figler PhD.
Values Drive Commitment Because…
-We cannot fully commit to something that is not important to us.
-We cannot fully commit to something that doesn’t fit with who we are and how we see ourselves.
-In order to expend the energy, devote the time, and make the necessary sacrifices we must know exactly what makes it worth doing in the first place.
***CONCLUSION: Research has shown that the more closely you work and live to the values that are most important to you, the less stress you will feel and the healthier you will be, at any age.
A PLANNING GUIDE EXERCISE: Spend some time looking over your answers to the values exercise you just completed. Write down your thoughts about how closely you are living your life to the values that you scored highest. In the next chapter we will be discussing the critical importance of developing the behaviors consistent with a resilient personality.
RELATED RESOURCES
-The Brain Training Revolution: A Proven Workout for Healthy Aging Paul Bendheim M.D. is a foundational resource and the text for this series of articles. As I have said previously, I am not affiliated in any way with Dr. Bendheim. If you have found these articles helpful, I encourage you to buy his book.
– www.job-hunt.org This is one of the best job search websites available. This site has many articles for those who are looking for jobs in their second fifty years. Some article titles include Job Search Advantages of Being Over 59…LinkedIn Profile Photos for Job Seekers Over 50…Remote Jobs in Retirement: What You Need to Know…10 Keys to a Rewarding Second Act Career.
–www.aarp.org – AARP provides dozens of resources that help individuals find a job and lead a healthy, purposeful second fifty years. An example is Great Jobs for Everyone 50+, Updated Edition: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy…and Pays the Bills- Kerry Hannon.
–https://greatergood.berkeley.edu The Greater Good Science Center is a key resource in this series because its entire focus is on helping people lead happy, healthy, purposeful lives. It has many articles and resources relevant for your second fifty years including: What Neuroscience Can Tell You About Aging Better…How Optimism May Keep You Alive Longer…Do we Need a New Roadmap for Getting Older? … Can a Happier Spouse Help You Live Longer?
-Have a Positive Impact During Uncertain Times www.amazon.com is my third book and an Amazon International #1 Bestseller and received a Reader’s Favorite Five Star Review. It provides numerous additional ideas and resources that support the exercises and actions mentioned in this series about leading a long, healthy, positive, and impactful life. 100% of the revenue from my books goes to the causes I support: lessening instances of sexual assault and bullying (my novel Dawn of Hope), deaths from tobacco products (my novel Dawn of the Tobacco Wars) and supporting our democracy (Have a Positive Impact During Uncertain Times).
Additional Related Resources:
-The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure and Bounce Back from Setbacks – Al Siebert, PhD.
-The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey.
-Peak Performance: Mental Training Techniques of the World’s Greatest Athletes – Charles Garfield PhD.
-Your Retirement, Your Way – Alan Bernstein & John Trauth.
-Career Anchors – Edgar Schein PhD.
-The Retirement Boom – Allen, Bearg, Foley & Smith.
–www.encore.org The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living & Difference in the Second Half of Life.
Chapter Two in the Making The Most Of Your 2nd Fifty Years series which will be posted shortly will be discussing the critical importance of developing the behaviors consistent with a resilient personality.