The first thing is to forgive yourself for any potential mistake under stress. That takes away a lot of pressure, especially for perfectionists. Second, make a list of essential and not-so-essential tasks, and prioritize accordingly. Third, tackle the tasks that take less time first and you’ll see tasks from your list getting done quickly. Fourth, if possible, delegate some of the tasks to someone you trust, and who can do them responsibly.

Practice mindfulness: Take short breaks to breathe deeply and refocus your mind. Communicate effectively : Let colleagues know your capacity and seek help when needed.

When I can feel the pressure building and I begin to feel overwhelmed I find the following has always worked for me. I begin by taking control of my workload by prioritizing it in some form of a time management tool such as a four square or even a gantt chart, depending on what I’m working on. The next thing I do I I look at my list and say to myself “I’m only human, don’t sweat the small stuff”. You will often find that the contributing factor to feeling overwhelmed is that you give the trivial few more value than they should have. Through the act of prioritizing your workload you will also give value to the various tasks that you have to achieve. The key benefit of this method is you will see progress as you check things off.

I often take 10 minutes walk break outside. This helps me to clear my mind as well as bring some new perspective. I don't try to think hard, thoughts come naturally.

One thing I found helpful was implementing a ‘3B’ approach during intense service hours at my restaurants: Breathe, Break, Balance. When managing multiple high-pressure situations, this simple method keeps me centered. Actually, I disagree with pushing through stress without breaks. In my hospitality career, I’ve learned that strategic pauses boost productivity. My approach includes:
🧘♂️ 2-minute mindfulness breaks
📋 Task prioritization
🤝 Team delegation An example I’ve seen work effectively is the “CALM” method:
C - Clear your mind briefly
A - Assess priorities
L - List top 3 tasks
M - Move into action Maintain composure while staying productive. This strategy helped reduce my stress levels by 60% while improving team performance.

When stress piles up, I focus on what I can control: prioritization. I make a quick list, identifying what’s truly urgent versus what can wait. Then, I tackle one task at a time—no multitasking. Deep breaths and small breaks keep my mind clear. I also remind myself that not everything has to be perfect; progress matters more. If possible, I delegate or ask for help. Stress thrives in chaos, so staying organized and realistic about what can be achieved is key. Most importantly, I keep perspective—stress is temporary, and calm decision-making gets me through.

1. Know your reaction is normal 2. Take a deep breath 3. Write down everything you have to do 4. Prioritize and then creatively prioritize 5. Start with the easy stuff 6. Use your teammates 7. Use timers as you’re working on tasks 8. Take five—or twenty