Stress - fighting back (Stress Management)

Member Name: Zelie

Product:	Stress Management
Date:	28/04/02 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Will work

Disadvantages: Takes a bit of bottle

You go into work, you want to do your job - the job they advertised, the job they convinced you was exciting - with development opportunities for that caring, "we treat our employees well" organisation. So what do you get? The first few months - everything is fine. You enjoy the new "challenge". This is the work you always wanted to do. Then it starts to creep up on you. You have demonstrated your ability to do this job so now "can do" becomes "will do". Now you're starting to come into work earlier and earlier, lunch times are quick intervals when you grab a bite purely to ease the hunger pains and certainly not a time of quiet relaxation. 5.00pm becomes 5.15pm and now it's becoming 5.30pm and later. You're getting home tired and strung out and hungry. Almost instant relief is obtained by that glass of red or white wine on an empty stomach. One becomes two, two becomes three. You rehearse what you are going to do tomorrow and what you are going to say to stop those constant demands and the never ending pressure to do more within ever-decreasing timescales and with limited resources. But then before you know it, the alarm clock is ringing again and you're in work early once again before most other people trying to beat the timescale clock.

So how do you change things? You've read all the books. You know the suggested solutions but it's a pity you're too weak to carry them through. STOP - Hold on a minute.... "you're too weak to carry them through". Stress in work is caused by bad management. It is not your fault. What is your fault is continuing to play the bad management game. Continuing to allow others to place unrealistic and often unnecessary demands on you while you sit back and suffer silently. Like the drugs campaign - "Just say no". Try it just once. Try saying "I'm sorry I can't do that today". Be prepared for the gui
lt which will follow. Be prepared for the fact that the professional standards which you always set yourself of being able to do everything efficiently and within time will change. Let yourself know that it's ok that you cannot deal with the quantity but be happy knowing that your ability to produce quality has not changed. Let yourself know that this is not your problem. They have given it to you and now they need to take it back. A Manager who does not recognise or refuses to deal with the stress of an employee is either stupid or a Bully. Remember they are paying you because they need you. No-one is doing anyone any favours. Recognise inordinate work-related stress for what it is - management bullying. If your child was being bullied you would know how to deal with that. You are not a child, don't let them make you feel like one. You have rights, you can do it - FIGHT BACK. Give the problem back to them. Just say NO.

Summary: