Is overwhelming fear pushing you toward unemployment? This might sound extreme, but I've lost several jobs because severe anxiety crippled my productivity and creativity.
Most people face some work stress, but when it threatens your entire career, it's time to tackle the root causes.
I've adopted five practical philosophies that not only helped me hold onto jobs but thrive in my career while significantly lowering my anxiety. Here's the first:
Prepare for the Pressure
Some thrive under pressure, delivering peak performance even in crisis. But for those prone to anxiety—like me—it's often the opposite.
Under stress, we learn quickly but not deeply. Fear-driven over-motivation impairs reasoning, leading to muddled thinking, rigid responses, heightened anxiety, frustration, and tension.
To ease inevitable high-pressure moments, prepare and practice outside the heat of the moment. Plan and research challenging tasks well in advance, at your own pace, so you're fully informed and confident.
Think of it like a fire drill: rehearsal without pressure builds awareness, relaxation, sharper judgment, and flexibility to improvise.
