Blueprints, Deadlines, and Mental Health

This week, I learned how closely stress, personality, and workplace performance are connected. After taking the Life Stress Inventory, the Coping and Stress Management Skills Test, and the Type A Personality Survey, I realized that stress is definitely present in my life, but the way I handle it matters just as much as the stress itself. My scores showed that I experience above average stress, which makes sense with school, work, deadlines, and expectations all happening at the same time. I tend to lean toward problem solving and responsibility-based coping strategies, but I sometimes overlook emotional coping, which I now understand is just as important.

The Type A Personality survey was especially eye opening. I scored moderately high, which explains why I constantly push myself to move quickly, stay busy, and get things done. These traits could help in construction and project management, but they could also lead to burnout if I don’t create boundaries.

What stood out to me most is that stress is not always negative. It becomes harmful when it builds up without being controlled. As I grow in my professional career, I want to work on building healthy routines like scheduling real breaks, exercising consistently, and maintaining stronger work-life boundaries. I also want to have mentors and supportive coworkers whom I can talk to when pressure gets heavy.

Through my research, I found that many organizations now treat stress as a serious business concern. Companies like Google and Salesforce offer stress management resources, wellness budgets, meditation apps, flexible schedules, and employee assistance programs (EAPs). According to the American Psychological Association, employees who feel supported are more likely to stay committed to their organization and perform better over time.