Snarky customers. Absent employees. Financial struggles. These are all in a day’s work for many equipment and event rental companies, but they can make stress levels skyrocket and produce burnout. That is why the ARA of New Jersey presented the online seminar, “Effective Strategies for Managing Stress,” on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
The seminar was delivered by Annie Ricci, MA, LMFT, PCC, co-owner of Bigfork Rentals in Bigfork, Mont., and a certified professional coach. Ricci explained to participants what stress and burnout are and how they relate to each other; simple and effective strategies for managing stress; and how to tackle the rest of 2021 with a positive mindset.
Rob Hoag, ARA Insurance preferred agent, RJ Hoag Insurance, Riverton, N.J., sat in on the seminar and emerged with some important takeaways for staying motivated without burning out.
“'Put on your own oxygen mask first.’ This common quote said every time we fly for work or vacation seems to strike a note on so many levels. Annie’s use of this quote made me think about other experiences and events in my life where I needed to be ‘healthy’ so that I could help someone else. Being healthy simply represents clarity, decisiveness, energy and other positive characteristics. I hope that my being healthy in the workplace lets me be a good leader and role model, which, in turn, helps others be healthy,” Hoag says.
A point Ricci made centering around the notion that “practice makes progress, not perfection” also struck a note with Hoag.
“During this part she had us practice breathing mechanics,” he says. “Annie stressed that our bodies thirst for oxygen, and proper breathing mechanics can help our bodies when feeling stressed. As we practiced our breathing, she asked that we think about things we are grateful for in our lives. Thinking and acting in good, healthy ways is contagious. If you practice thinking of good things in your life more and more, it will leave less time for the negative stuff.”