Thriving Under Pressure
Keira Walsh
England Football Star
Learn how to boost productivity without burning out - this Step shares practical tips to help learners stay on track, manage stress, and keep progressing.
Learn how to boost productivity without burning out - this Step shares practical tips to help learners stay on track, manage stress, and keep progressing.
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Thriving Under Pressure
7 mins 18 secs
Key learning objectives:
Learn how to stay productive while managing stress
Outline how to maintain work-life balance
Overview:
Finding balance is key to staying productive, and Keira Walsh shares practical tips for managing stress, avoiding burnout, and maintaining consistent progress. This step will help learners understand how setting clear goals, creating a supportive environment, and practising mindfulness can boost productivity in any context. With Keira’s advice, learners will gain insights into spotting signs of stress, building resilience, and embracing a balanced work-life approach that drives sustainable success.
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Summary
How can you build resilience?
Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks. Whether in football, the office, or any high-pressure environment, resilience comes from learning from every experience and using those lessons to improve. Developing resilience means embracing challenges, recovering from them, and continuing to move forward, no matter the outcome.
How can you stay productive while managing stress?
Staying productive means balancing preparation, effort, and self-care. Consistent, strategic work is key to avoiding burnout. By breaking larger goals into manageable steps and setting up a supportive environment, you can maintain focus and stay on top of your game. Recognise when stress is creeping in and take steps to manage it early by taking breaks, re-evaluating your workload, or seeking help from a support system.
What does productivity look like in different contexts?
Productivity isn’t the same for everyone or every profession. For footballers, it’s about both on-field performance and off-field activities like recovery and analysis. In other fields, productivity could mean hitting deadlines, delivering projects, or leading a team. The common factor is that productivity needs the right environment - whether structured training sessions or a quiet workspace, balance is essential to maintain effectiveness.
How do you maintain work-life balance?
Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial to managing stress and avoiding burnout. It's important to unwind and make time for relaxation - whether that's spending time with family, watching a movie, or practising mindfulness. By setting boundaries between work and personal life, you create space for recovery, which is essential for long-term productivity and well-being.
How can leaders help manage stress in their teams?
Leaders play a critical role in ensuring their teams are both productive and well-supported. When stress goes unmanaged, it impacts focus, motivation, and performance. A good leader creates an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns and where breaks and mental health are prioritised. Open communication and trust are essential to fostering a high-performing, resilient team.
How do you recognise the signs of stress and burnout?
Stress can show up in various ways, from irritability and difficulty concentrating to physical symptoms like muscle tension or headaches. In some cases, the signs may be subtle, such as feeling unmotivated or dreading tasks. By identifying these signals early, you can take steps to manage stress before it leads to burnout - whether that’s through rest, relaxation, or adjusting your workload.
What are some tips for managing stress while staying productive?
Staying productive means balancing preparation, effort, and self-care. Consistent, strategic work is key to avoiding burnout. By breaking larger goals into manageable steps and setting up a supportive environment, you can maintain focus and stay on top of your game. Recognise when stress is creeping in and take steps to manage it early by taking breaks, re-evaluating your workload, or seeking help from a support system.
What does productivity look like in different contexts?
Productivity isn’t the same for everyone or every profession. For footballers, it’s about both on-field performance and off-field activities like recovery and analysis. In other fields, productivity could mean hitting deadlines, delivering projects, or leading a team. The common factor is that productivity needs the right environment - whether structured training sessions or a quiet workspace, balance is essential to maintain effectiveness.
How do you maintain work-life balance?
Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial to managing stress and avoiding burnout. It's important to unwind and make time for relaxation - whether that's spending time with family, watching a movie, or practising mindfulness. By setting boundaries between work and personal life, you create space for recovery, which is essential for long-term productivity and well-being.
How can leaders help manage stress in their teams?
Leaders play a critical role in ensuring their teams are both productive and well-supported. When stress goes unmanaged, it impacts focus, motivation, and performance. A good leader creates an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns and where breaks and mental health are prioritised. Open communication and trust are essential to fostering a high-performing, resilient team.
How do you recognise the signs of stress and burnout?
Stress can show up in various ways, from irritability and difficulty concentrating to physical symptoms like muscle tension or headaches. In some cases, the signs may be subtle, such as feeling unmotivated or dreading tasks. By identifying these signals early, you can take steps to manage stress before it leads to burnout - whether that’s through rest, relaxation, or adjusting your workload.
What are some tips for managing stress while staying productive?
- Set clear goals: Break larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed
- Create a balanced environment: Make sure your workspace supports productivity and provides opportunities for relaxation
- Recognise stress early: Pay attention to both physical and emotional signs of stress and take action quickly
- Build a support system: Surround yourself with people who can help when you need it, whether emotionally or professionally
- Practice mindfulness: Use mindfulness techniques to stay grounded and manage stress
- Prioritise rest and recovery: Regular breaks and downtime are essential for maintaining long-term productivity
How can you build resilience?
Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks. Whether in football, the office, or any high-pressure environment, resilience comes from learning from every experience and using those lessons to improve. Developing resilience means embracing challenges, recovering from them, and continuing to move forward, no matter the outcome.
The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this video are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations.
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Keira Walsh
Keira Walsh is a football star for FC Barcelona and the England National Team, a midfield legend who orchestrates play with poise and precision. As a crucial figure in the heart of her team, Keira’s vision, passing range, and tactical intelligence are unrivalled. She is the engine that drives her teams forward, setting the standard for creativity, discipline, and leadership on the pitch.
Keira Walsh began making a name for herself as a youngster at Manchester City, where she went on to win several honours, including the Super League and FA Cup. In 2022, Keira made the move to Barcelona, continuing her journey at the pinnacle of European football, winning multiple titles, including the UEFA Champions League and Spanish League for 2 consecutive years. A standout performer during England’s victorious UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 campaign, she was named Player of the Match in the final, solidifying her place among the world’s best midfielders.
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