How I reduce stress working in logistics (2024)

Working in logistics is stressful. The supply chain doesn't take weekends or evenings off; vessels come in and out, trucks always drive, and rail cars arrive when they arrive. Despite the stress, it is an exciting profession; logistics professionals can move mountains. The requirement to constantly work on multiple tasks simultaneously can be stressful and overwhelming - the phone rings, the text and voice mail messages arrive while on the other line, emails, chats on Teams, and more at the same time. That's a typical day in logistics, and I think all freight forwarders have probably experienced it. Despite the stress, it is an exciting profession; logistics professionals can move mountains. We go home and are exhausted.

I have found one simple change that can make life easier and more relaxed; allow you to get everything done, stay focused, and not get exhausted:

I turn off all notifications. All of them.

On my laptop: I turned off the email notifications, so if I want to work on emails, I go to Outlook and work on it. It helps me to stay focused on specific emails, spreadsheets, bids, and presentations. If there is an urgent shipment, I stay on top of it anyways and will look check Outlook. But other than that, it's not necessary to know the content of each email the second it arrives. Each time the notifications pop up, I want to see what the email says, which kills my time and concentration.

On my phone: although I don't have any private social media anymore (my life got better afterward, yes!), I only have notifications for a message or a phone call, nothing else. No emails, no apps, no nothing. I even keep my phone silent when I am working on a bid or need to focus. 99% of the time, it's ok to call or text back a little later; if something is urgent and I can't pick up my customers, vendors always know how to reach someone on my team. Another great idea is to leave your phone on the kitchen counter before bedtime, so a phone won't be the last and first thing I see every day.

People are much more efficient when they can concentrate and are not constantly disturbed. Notifications do that; they trigger your curiosity, not allowing you to focus, and given the volume of ways we communicate, they can be overwhelming. I've found these changes help me manage my workload (and stress) a lot.

These changes have helped me feel better, healthier, less stressed, and more focused. I can do even more daily work and talk to more people as I have more time. I am surely not going back to having notifications turned on.

How about you?