How do you cope with the stress and pressure of working in green finance and investment?

In the vibrant mosaic of green finance and investment, your purpose is the cornerstone that keeps the picture intact. Remind yourself that each decision you make is a brushstroke in a larger environmental masterpiece. Aligning your personal ethos with your professional goals creates a harmony that resonates through your work. Like a lighthouse guiding ships, your sense of purpose illuminates your path during turbulent times, keeping you steadfast and motivated amidst the ebb and flow of industry challenges.

In work we must know what led us there, what made us choose this work and what motivates us to continue. I believe that this knowledge is even more important in a job that can be, sometimes, stressful. Therefore, in order to not get discouraged and stay motivated, remembering these factors is essential.

Figuring out what makes your work in green finance meaningful goes hand-in-hand with identifying your strengths. Maybe you're gifted with numbers and love making sure green investments are financially sound. Perhaps you excel at explaining complex environmental issues in clear language. The beauty of green finance is that it needs all kinds of talent – lawyers to draft sound contracts, financiers to analyze risks and returns, and communication experts to get the word out. By recognizing your strengths and how they contribute to the bigger picture, you can collaborate more effectively with your team and enhance productivity.

A resiliência é uma competência fundamental para qualquer profissional que atue com finanças sustentáveis. Conciliar resultado financeiro com impacto socioambiental agrega dois pontos de vista que parecem muito distantes e divergentes. Desta forma, é preciso simplificar os cálculos financeiros para os profissionais de sustentabilidade e demonstrar como valor o impacto socioambiental para os profissionais de finanças. Está tensão constante exige capacidade de equilíbrio e resiliência para conviver neste ambiente.

A valuable tool for workload management is the Eisenhower Matrix, which is also described in detail in Steven Covey's book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". This model uses a 2x2 matrix of importance-vs urgency. You undertake items that are both urgent and important, i.e., those which have an immediate deadline or significant acute consequence. If the item is important but not urgent because there is no specific deadline, or it may be valuable for long-term success - schedule it. If the item is not important but urgent, delegate it to someone who has the time and needed skillset in yoru team. If the item is neither important nor urgent, delete it from your list. And always remember, if everything is a priority, then nothing is!

Time management is a skill that is built through discipline, organization and practice. Therefore, I recommend using time and task management tools to make your goals, deadlines and objectives clearer.

Engaging in a knowledge safari is a useful journey to levelling up: Academic expedition: Diving deep into courses on green finance, renewable energy, sustainable development, and climate change. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and the World Bank's Open Learning Platform offer a smorgasbord of knowledge. Industry immersion: Shadow green finance professionals, attend conferences, and network with experts. Seek out internships and volunteer opportunities with NGOs or green startups.

Navigating the intricate dance of green finance and investment is akin to being a tightrope walker, balancing various perspectives against the winds of change. You are at the confluence of diverse interests – investors, clients, regulators, and society. Imagine each decision as a step on this tightrope, where maintaining equilibrium is key. Embrace transparency and accountability as your balancing poles, and respect the myriad of views as the safety net below, ensuring ethical and considered decision-making that looks both at the immediate steps and the distant horizon

Finding the right balance can be tricky. Investors might want quick returns, while regulators might prioritize safety. But remember, the ultimate goal of green finance is to create a sustainable future for everyone. It's like planning a family vacation. This might mean taking a slightly longer-term view on a project that benefits both the environment and creates lasting value for the community. Open communication and collaboration are key here. Green finance professionals must find solutions that benefit everyone involved, without compromising on the core principles of sustainability.

When it comes to dealing with stress in the green finance and investing industry, I've found that making time for mindfulness and self-care is helpful. Stress reduction and improved focus can be achieved by practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and scheduling frequent breaks during the workday. To improve health and resilience, it's important to prioritise exercise, nutritious food, and enough of sleep. You can better handle the challenges of the industry and have a positive impact on sustainable finance projects if you take care of your own mental and physical health.

The significance of managing expectations and establishing limits is another factor to think about. There is a lot of demand to be accessible and quick to respond in the green investment and financing industry. Yet, in order to avoid burnout and have a good work-life balance, it is essential to set limits for work hours, communication channels, and stress levels. Managing expectations and stress may be achieved by explicitly communicating these boundaries to stakeholders and coworkers. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all of your field-related obligations, try setting priorities and concentrating on high-impact activities.

Green finance and investment roles are diverse. There's something for almost everyone. Engineers, Lawyers, Investment Bankers, Communicators etc. Your discipline and skills are what make you unique. Focus on your skills, tasks and goals to maximise your impact. It is easy to lose sight of your priorities if you're too flexible.

One thing I have found helpful is setting realistic goals, everyday I set a plan for example, I set my to do list inline with my weekly goal which as well aline with my monthly goals. So for the year, I have long time goals, mid term goal and short term goals. Which I thought prudent as I commit to meet target goals of the company. I also have on my desk pending file on my checklist that I check most often. All the above have helped me to work and be focus and not stressed out. Amidst this pressure will come from top management requesting for an urgent work to be done with a timeline "prioritizing" job and knowing what to do is key in order to succeed. I always follow the saying " start right and stay right". Regards J J Solomon