Three Who Overcame Career Related Stress

Samantha had survived two major downsizings at the company where she worked. But those personnel and budget cuts had failed to right the ship—everyone was expecting more cuts. Samantha was living in a state of continual stress because even if she survived the anticipated next round, she knew her already doubled workload would be increased. A friend suggested she contact me to discuss her situation. After visiting with her, I suggested that instead of allowing the power of negative anticipation to control her mind, she apply the power of positive action to her situation. Together, we developed a plan for her to conduct a very discreet job search before the proverbial axe fell. As she began to implement her plan, she reported that while the situation at work was not improving, her stress levels had been lowered. Within three weeks of beginning her search, she said that stress was no longer a factor because she felt in control of her life again.

Brett had been a successful sales representative for a large pharmaceutical company. A few years ago, many of these companies realigned commissions and territories. About the same time, small medical practices were merging to form large ones (thus reducing the prospect base). Like so many successful reps Brett found his earnings substantially reduced and the resulting pressure caused stress related problems. And like so many successful people, Brett’s self image had become singular—“I am a pharmaceutical rep!” Brett consulted a career counselor who helped him separate his potential from his profession. Once Brett began to focus toward opportunities where his background and skills could be put to use, much of the stress related problems disappeared.

Always a high achiever, Edna had graduated from a prestigious eastern university with an M.B.A. and after accepting a position with a fortune 100 company, rapidly ascended the corporate ladder. For ten years she consistently out performed, out maneuvered and out produced those around her. Then the CEO and several senior managers retired and were replaced by capable people whose vision for the company was different. At first, she liked the new direction because she was given a promotion and was excited about the fresh challenges the new position would offer. But fresh challenges didn’t materialize, instead the word came down from the top that it would take five years to “retool” the thinking and technology at the company and her job was to “maintain the status quo” until the consultants were able to fully implement the new vision plans. Her once challenging job became mundane and she dreaded showing up for work, which produced internal stress (because she had always committed to giving 110%). Realizing that she thrived on challenge, she began planning her exit from the company. After researching her options, she decided to become an entrepreneur. Always fascinated by technology, she began learning all she could, surrounded herself with like minded “techies” and launched her business. She would be the first to agree that having your own business can be stressful, but she would quickly tell you that when you are setting your own targets in order to make your vision a reality, the sense of achievement makes it a positive stress.

Samantha, Brett and Edna. Three people who found themselves in stressful situation and who overcame them by using three different approaches.

Samantha’s stress was produced by the power of negative anticipation that caused her to feel helpless and out of control. Once she took action to remedy the situation, her stress disappeared because she was taking steps to regain a sense of control. As a post-note, when she found a new job, she was given a counter-offer—higher salary and a promotion. She is still with her old company.

Brett’s stress was produced because he identified his ability to be successful with the position he had held for so many years. Once he realized that he, not the job title held the potential for greater earnings and fulfillment and focused on that he was able to weigh his options. He left pharmaceutical sales and is experiencing greater success as a medical equipment salesman.

Edna, who was always a high achiever and thus needed new challenges, became stressed because the challenge had gone out of her position. While her decision to start her own technology consulting company was risky, it also afforded her with fresh goals and the sense of accomplishment that she needed in her life.

What can we learn from these three true stories?
First, replace negative anticipation with positive action
Second, refocus on what you can still accomplish, not what you can’t control
Third, set new targets and goals for yourself, don’t stagnate on yesterdays accomplishments
Have a great and profitable week!
Robert Hidde
bob@confidentliving.com