They old adage “when the heat is too hot, get out of the kitchen” is not advice most workers adhere to when it comes to tolerating workplace stress. Instead people stay in very stressful jobs and assume it’s normal. When working in a stressful environment people seem to lose perspective of what is healthy and normal. They either ignore the effect it has on their health and families or just grin and bear it. For those willing to entertain change they either get consumed by panic and feel a need to jump at the next job that will pay them or they become immobilized by the fear and the misperception that a better situation does not exist. I encourage people to ask themselves – “is it worth it?” The cumulative effect of stress can be life changing. There is no need to accept a stressful work situation as your only option. The more control you take of your situation and destiny the better you will feel. First, evaluate what exactly about your work is causing stress. Is it the people, the boss, the pace, the unrealistic expectations, or maybe the culture? Once you get to the core of it assess if it is something you can change or that will change within the next 6 mos. If not start to map out a plan to assess other options. This exercise alone will help you manage work related stress.
Work Related Stress
About the Author: Karen Kodzik
Cultivating Careers was founded by Karen Kodzik, a Career Consultant who has worked with individuals in transition for over 13 years. Karen meets professionals at various points on their career path and works with them to gain a clearer sense of where they want to take their careers.
Karen Kodzik holds a Masters Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Career Development. Karen couples seasoned counseling skills with a solid business acumen. She has coached and consulted various levels of professionals across industries to successfully reaching that next point in their career.