Episode #74: Distress Less

Why is work so stressful today for professionals in Tokyo?

Many businesspeople in 東京 (Tokyo) in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global companies) feel they are “always on” — email, chat apps, smartphones, social media. The workday never really ends, so stress builds up and health risks increase.

To stay effective and protect your health, you need simple, repeatable habits you can use every day at your desk.

Mini-summary: Modern work is 24/7 and stressful. You need simple daily habits that lower stress and protect performance.

Use the TRAF method to handle paper and digital information:

1. Toss
   Remove anything you do not really need. Most papers and emails you save “just in case” are never used again.

2. Refer (delegate)
   Send tasks to the right person instead of doing everything yourself. Have a short, clear talk:

   • Explain why this task helps their growth.

   • Agree on next steps and deadlines.

   • Move yourself into “monitor only” mode.

3. Action

   • If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now.

   • If it takes longer, put it on your To-Do list and block time in your calendar to finish it.

4. File
   Before you file a document, ask: “Will I really need this?”

   • If the answer is “maybe,” scan it or save a photo, then throw away the paper.

   • Aim for a near-paperless desk to reduce visual stress.

Mini-summary: TRAF (Toss, Refer, Action, File) keeps your desk and inbox clean, lowers stress, and frees your mind to focus on important work.

How do I decide what to do first when everything looks urgent?

Not all tasks and documents have the same value. To reduce stress:

• Quickly sort work into high priority and low priority piles.

• Start with high-impact items that move key business results.

• Stop moving the same paper or email around your desk and inbox.

This simple filter protects you from drowning in low-value work and helps you focus on what really matters for your team and company.

Mini-summary: Prioritizing by importance, not noise, helps you protect time and energy for the work that really counts.

How can I delegate better so tasks never land on my desk?

The best delegation is preventive:

• Route certain topics directly to your team members from the start.

• Brief them clearly before they begin.

• Monitor progress but do not “take back” the work.

• Ask colleagues to send related emails and documents to your delegate, not to you.

This builds stronger leaders around you and creates capacity for higher-level work such as リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training), 営業研修 (sales training), プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching), and DEI研修 (DEI training).

Mini-summary: Smart delegation stops work from bouncing back to you and develops your team’s capability at the same time.

How do I stop unhealthy procrastination and reduce mental pressure?

There are two types of procrastination:

• Positive procrastination: You choose to wait because you need more data or timing.

• Negative procrastination: You avoid a task because of fear or discomfort, even when you already have enough information.

When you face a difficult task and have the facts, “swallow the frog in one gulp” — do it now, in one focused push. This reduces mental pressure and saves time you would waste worrying.

Mini-summary: Decide wisely when to wait and when to act now. Doing the hard thing quickly often removes the most stress.

• TRAF your work: Toss, Refer, Action, File to keep your desk and inbox clear.

• Prioritize by impact: Focus on the tasks that truly move business results.

• Delegate early and cleanly: Build a capable team and protect your time.

• Swallow the frog: Do difficult tasks quickly to reduce ongoing stress.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.