6 Ways To Reduce Stress Without Leaving Your Desk

Your face begins to get red, steam is coming out of your head and you feel as though you're going to explode. Sound familiar?

Well, you're not alone. My head steams, I get red and I feel like I’m going to explode on a frequent basis.

But I’m going to be honest, this is never a good feeling.

You live and breathe the aviation world and stress is going to be a frequent inhabitant in your life. Stress isn't always a bad thing but once it gets out of control in can end a good day fast.

So I want to share a few little secrets with you. These secrets are what I do to reduce stress and the best part is, I don’t have to leave my desk.

In this crazy world we call aviation, you should try anything to limit the stress you encounter.

Am I right?

 6 ways to reduce stress without leaving your desk

1) Get a live plant - By putting a couple live plants in your office you’ll create a soothing atmosphere that reduces airborne mold and bacteria by 50-60%. An increase in your comfort level means a decrease in your stress levels.

2) Infinity method - With your finger draw an infinity sign. This is a figure eight on its side. Make sure to draw it big and to continue this motion. As you draw, follow the path with your eyes. By doing this you force your brain to switch between left and right side thinking. This type of analytical switch disrupts focus and reduces stress.

 3) Reach for the sky - While sitting in your chair clasp your hands together. Then reach for the sky as high as you can. Once you feel the stretch and slight backwards bend in your spine, lean left and then lean right. This little tip opens up your entire upper torso. What a relief.

4) Breathe - Breathing is a great way to reduce stress. Breathe in through your nose, feel your diaphragm expand, count to 5 and release through your mouth. As you release, feel your diaphragm begin to cave. Count to 5 on the exhale. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes if that relaxes you even more.

5) Sit on a stability ball - This little technique makes you focus on your posture which allows for better blood flow. Once you begin to hunch, you restrict your blood flow making you tired, grumpy and on edge. See me on my stability ball by clicking here.

6) Get a stress ball or desk punching bag - Get yourself a stress ball or if you really feel up for it, get a desk punching bag. Although violence isn’t acceptable these are GREAT tools to relieve stress.

That's it. If you use any of these tips you’ll feel much better when your stress level begins to rise.

Start being proactive and reduce your stress before it gets out of control.

Do you have trouble dealing with stress? Comment below.

How Your Operation Can Relate To A 5 Star Restaurant

In the not so distant past I was enjoying a delicious meal at a 5 star restaurant. It was melt in your mouth fantastic but this isn't what drew my attention. My attention was immediately fixed on the service.

Would you like water sir? Yes, please. Boom, the water appeared immediately.

Are you enjoying your meal sir? It's fantastic but could I trouble you for some extra sauce? Boom, done immediately.

Is there anything else I can do? I would enjoy a nice cigar. Sir we don’t carry cigars but I’ll have someone run to the shop next door to get you one.

You see, the meal was great but the service was even better. And even better than the service was the distribution strategy of the services and products.

The server was acting as the liaison to my personal needs while the cooks, runners and everyone else made sure I got exactly what I needed. They were streamlined and even when I made an odd demand they were organized enough to figure it out.

The 5 star restaurant provided me a service where everything was immediately available and immediately consumed by me.

They were like ducks, calm on the surface but fiercely paddling under the water.

All I had to worry about was relaxing and enjoying my surroundings.

Now you’re wondering how in the world this relates to you aren't you?

Why you should be waited on

Imagine if you could be me in the scenario above.

You sit back ready to consume what's provided to you, while your supplier is paddling like a duck to get you the services you require.

All you have to do is focus on consumption and your profit generating activities.

There will be no chaotic scrambling because you have a team of cooks, runners and servers to help with your distribution requirements. Whether it be repairs, outright purchases, aircraft maintenance checks, exchanges or all the above.

Don’t keep putting yourself through stressful events.

Since you’re operating in the aviation environment you should be like a patron at a 5 star restaurant. Consume what's needed while your trusted partners provide you with a streamlined distribution strategy.

Just like the folks at the fine dining restaurant, they actually cared about my experience. If you look for that in a partner, consider yourself reprieved from 99% of all the stress you experience now.

From restaurant to Just In Time inventory for aircraft maintenance

Most people, including you and I eat out often. It’s fun and relaxing.

What we typically don’t notice is that restaurants provide us with a Just In Time inventory strategy. We eat our meals when were ready to consume it. This is what makes the whole experience relaxing. Am I right?

Otherwise we have to go to the grocery, stock food for a couple weeks, of which 30% of it will spoil. Ahh…

Right now your maintenance strategy is probably like going to the grocery. You overbuy or you get material not yet needed costing you time and money.

Once you begin to act as I did at the fine dining restaurant, you’ll begin to relax.

This is why Just In Time inventory may be a decision to consider.

If you would like to learn more about how a Just In Time inventory program can help you, click here

Stress In Aviation And How To Control It

You sit in your office anxious, nervous with a feeling in your stomach you cannot describe. Some days it's extreme and other days it just keeps you up at night.

You self diagnose yourself and think, "I'm only stressed. I have a lot on my plate right now."

Does this sound familiar?

I come across many people just like you, and me for that matter. We can be constantly stressed.

It's understandable you have a lot to deal with. Not to mention stress resulting from an unexpected issue that arose from nowhere.

But, this is life and it happens every day, in all industries. We're not subject to this just because we are in aviation.

It's how we control stress that can make us better at what we do and happier in all aspects of our life.

I have a few ways that I control stress that I would like to share with you, but let's first take a look at how stress effects us.

Effects Of Stress

According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of people whom are stressed report physical symptoms. Another 48% claim that their stress level negatively affects them, both personally and professionally.

Stress not only affects you at work but it begins to affect you in all aspects of your life.

You will begin to feel lazy because you're both mentally and physically tired. Once you're tired problems start to arise, you will begin to make the wrong decision and poor judgment will ensue.

Simply put, stress wreaks havoc both mentally and physically so avoid it.

How To Control Stress

No matter how hard it seems, your stress can be controlled.

I know, I know, it doesn't seem like it at times but I promise you can control it.

Here are a few tips I use that have helped me control my stress levels substantially.

1) Practice relaxation techniques - Whether its deep breathing, yoga, meditation or all three, relaxing your mind and body is well worth the time.

2) Say "no" - It's okay to say no. You can't always meet people's expectations and demands. Saying no will give you the opportunity to work on important stuff and still have time for yourself.

3) Set realistic goals - Without having goals how are you supposed to stay focused and on task? You can't, so begin creating SMART goals that will help you focus on the important things in your life, work included.

4) Create a to-do list - By creating a to-do list you'll be able to see what's important and what's not. Delete the non-important stuff or delegate to someone who it would be more important to. Read more about organizing your to-do list here.

5) Write all thoughts down before bed - Any thoughts that are racing through your mind before bed, write it down. You'll get these thoughts out of your head, onto paper and you can think more about it in the morning. This allows your head to clear and your mind to relax, making for a better sleep.

6) Eat right - Nutrition plays an instrumental part of how stress can affect your life. It's just like an aircraft, if you feed it the wrong stuff it'll perform poorly or end up crashing.

7) Get moving - Fitness also plays an important role in how you manage stress. By moving and getting your heart going you get blood to all the right places. If your aircraft is stored for a prolonged time what happens? Enough said.

Being able to control stress is easy, it's just a matter of making the right decisions in your favor. Utilize the tips above and you'll be a better, less stressed you.

P.S. We can be your partner and help mitigate your stress levels. Contact us today and we'll tell you how.

What side effects do you have resulting from stress? Comment below.

How To Delegate And Increase Your Bottom Line

Have you ever wondered why there isn't enough time in the day? From aircraft component procurement, repair orders, aircraft maintenance checks, aircraft parts supplier approval, the list seems to never stop.

There isn't enough time in the day to get everything done by yourself.

It's natural, human and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Sometimes I look at my calendar, then my daily task list and want to scream.

I know exactly how you feel, but the solution is right in front of you.

Delegation

You've probably heard of this term before but we all too often ignore it.

[dropshadowbox align="center" effect="lifted-both" width="400px" height="" background_color="#537ec2" border_width="1" border_color="#dddddd" ]"The act of empowering to act for another and or a group of persons chosen to represent others."[/dropshadowbox]

Delegation is a tool you can use to take advantage of focusing on the bigger picture and getting results, rather than the tedious work of buying hundreds of components for an aircraft maintenance check.

Imagine this:

You have 100 parts to procure and you'll need to purchase, repair, ship and receive in these 100 parts. You can take on these tasks by yourself, completing each and every step from start to finish (I know it already sounds stressful).

Or you can delegate these tasks to a trusted partner, like your aircraft parts supplier. They can do everything.  You just have to sit back and receive the items in as they arrive.

They key here is trusted partner

Utilizing this concept of delegation allows you to focus on other areas. Think about how much  time it costs you  to follow-up and manage 100 purchase orders.

The costs get daunting don't they?

Why Would You Ever Choose Delegation?

Delegation gives you the freedom to focus your skill sets in more areas. You don't have to drown in daily tasks. The more tasks you have the more likely something will get overlooked.

Being able to delegate tasks makes you more efficient and the more efficient you are the more money you'll save.

And just between you and me, the more time you have for yourself the less stressed you'll be.

How To Start Delegating With Your Aircraft Parts Supplier

This step is simple.

Call, email and / or Skype your aircraft parts supplier and tell them that you would like to discuss delegating the component procurement process.

State what you're looking for, your needs and how you expect things to be done.

As projects get underway keep an open line of communication so they know exactly what you want. As time passes you will begin to feel the weight lifted off your shoulders and put directly on theirs.

Which is a good thing!

Delegating can be scary at first. Whether you're delegating tasks to an aircraft parts supplier, or a colleague, it will feel odd at first. However, I speak from experience when I say delegating is a HUGE relief.

You can't expect to do everything. It's not fair to you. If there are people who can help, use them. They just may have more experience in a given area and may be better for the task, whatever it may be.

What are your biggest frustrations with the feeling of not having enough time? Comment Below. We would love to hear from you.