We experience stress every day and nowhere is it more obvious than in the workplace. It seems that no job is perfect, and at least once or twice a day, you feel emotions of anger, fear, inadequacy or sadness.
Because the stress that these emotions create can literally shorten your lifespan, causing high blood pressure, giving you sleepless nights, headaches, or depression, you need to know how to control and them and put them in perspective so they are not ruining your health and happiness.
Anger can also spoil your work day. You may find your phone calls are subject to automated voice prompts, creating an endless circle of menu options, none of which apply to your call. Or a fellow worker may be inconsiderate, talking loudly in the next cubicle, interrupting your concentration, and making a nuisance of himself. Sometimes it’s a manager dumping a new project on top of your already-full desk. Anger management is a skill you must learn if problems have caused you to react in an aggressive manner, feeling the anger boiling inside you and taking the problem home with you after work.
Fear is common at your job because you may be afraid you will lose your position for some reason, such as a fellow employee’s performance outshining yours. You may begin to worry about the likelihood of replacing the income with a new position, especially if the unemployment rate in your community is high. You may also feel inadequate, and fearful that your employer will give you a project or add duties for which you are untrained or unable to complete satisfactorily. And you may have resentment and guilt from various activities at work.
So how do you handle your emotions and keep your professionalism at work? First of all, take some time off and get away from distractions to a place where you can confront these demons rationally. Try to put them in perspective. Are they really worth all the energy you are putting into them? Can you identify when and why these stresses are occurring, such as when a particular monthly or weekly chore needs to be done, or when a certain fellow employee is present?
Once you have identified the times when emotions seem to take control of you, then set a limit on how long you are going to allow this negative energy to consume you. The next time a situation occurs where you feel your anger starting to boil, or your fears overwhelm you, don’t respond immediately, but excuse yourself as calmly as possible, go to another part of the building or office, and let the emotion dissipate. Even if you have to fake a meeting or phone call, get away from the situation. Once you have done this a few times, you will feel yourself getting stronger when confronted with a similar situation in the future, and you will feel better about yourself and more confident about handling yourself well.
Then analyze the occurrence in your mind. If a colleague caused the emotion to arise, discuss it rationally and calmly. If you feel a resolution is not forthcoming, end the discussion and see your manager. On the other hand, if the emotion was inadequacy or fear, switch to another chore or duty at your desk or work station to get your mind off your concerns. When you feel less overwhelmed, a meeting with your manager might dissolve some of your fears. Many large corporations also have employee assistance programs where you can discuss your problems.
Whatever steps you take, you will face your days with a more positive attitude. Your employment is important to you and you deserve to be happy so don’t let anything prevent you from enjoying your work.
