High quality work reduces stress. Follow the general principle for quality work in writing. Simply stated, the first draft should never be considered the final draft. Quality work requires effort.
A story told about Henry Kissinger (former advisor to President Nixon) makes the point. Dr. Kissinger submitted a report when he first started working for the government. His supervisor inquired if the report was his best work. Kissinger worked on the report for an additional two days fine-tuning it and giving the report greater clarity before resubmitting it. Again, a similar inquiry was forthcoming, “Is this the best you can do?” The report was worked on for an additional day. After further revisions, Kissinger submitted his work with some anger and confidence asserting that the report was the best he could do. His supervisor said, “Good! Then I will read it.”
Quality work requires extra effort, but the satisfaction derived is well worth the effort.
See the article describing how to have young people want to produce quality work while gaining joy in learning.
When we feel we have not done our best, it hurts to hear someone say that we could have done better. Yet, our real friends are the ones who won’t let us get away with inferior work or not producing what we are capable of doing. They let us know that they expect better from us.
These criticisms of our quality of work can actually be complements in the form of positive feedback. Constructive criticism, when graciously accepted, can spur us to high quality work while helping us build self-confidence.
Feedback shows us that we really can do better. Learn that this kind of communication improves our work quality. When you live with this mindset, stress is reduced and your work quality inevitably improves.
Tip: To manage your stress, think of feedback not as criticism, but rather as a possible tool to improve your quality of work.
