Stress- Learn how to say "No" to yourself.

[ufkacbln]

Slightly different experience, but it taught me a lesson

Some 30 years ago I was young and dynamic

Then I was attached by a tree whilst in an MTB

# skull, # pelvis, #hip, # ribs, # clavicle

I was off for three months and it did make a difference
I realised at that point that whilst it was good for me as an individual it was not good for the department

So when I returned, I ensured that others were able to do all aspects of my job

I still follow that,and there is nothing that I do that one of my staff is not up to date with or able to do

The brilliant part is that if I am under pressure then I can delegate or deputise

I still maintain responsibility but it does relieve an awful lot of stress

 

[Katherine]

It was good to read your post, Steve. I had been wondering how you were,and pleased to see some of your posts in the Your Ride Today, thread.
The very best of luck to you for next week.

 

[tyred]

So good to hear from you Steve and I hope it goes well for you.

Work related stress is truly horrible. I was saved by redundancy but was genuinely on the verge of complete breakdown and basically had ceased to function. Slowly I am getting back to my old self again and relishing fresh challenges. I am genuinely shocked now at how work had almost completely destroyed me.

 

[david k]

The biggest trick modern society has played on human beings is convincing them that work is not a curse but some sort of vocation and a chance to excel, to shine, to prove your worth.

Well done for the mental adjustment Steve.

Yes it certainly becomes an outlet for people. When we are teenagers we often have things to fill out lives and aspirations which fill us up with hope and exitement. As we get married have kids often many of those things change and we look to perform at work to identify ourselves as at home we are dad and husband with responsibilities, how do we generate that excitement and self worth? Often through excelling at work, that can be good at after 10 years we start to suffer the side affects of achievement, hard work, overtime, promotions, extra responsibility which then affects us negatively.
I saw so many people in their 50s telling me to take it easy in my 30s as I strove to achieve professionally, I'm now 42 I know exactly what they mean. They'd say that they admire me but the boss and business will only take advantage of me, often they did but you don't see it. I suffered stress from bad managers who took advantage of me, I could and should have stopped it but tried to play it straight, it did work out in the end but looking back I could have done it easier and without the stress, I won't do it again, once bitten and all that

My mantra now is to work hard, work well but don't try to be a hero, when I've done my bit I back off, balance is key, a good organisation will respect that

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Yes it certainly becomes an outlet for people. When we are teenagers we often have things to fill out lives and aspirations which fill us up with hope and exitement. As we get married have kids often many of those things change and we look to perform at work to identify ourselves as at home we are dad and husband with responsibilities, how do we generate that excitement and self worth? Often through excelling at work, that can be good at after 10 years we start to suffer the side affects of achievement, hard work, overtime, promotions, extra responsibility which then affects us negatively.
I saw so many people in their 50s telling me to take it easy in my 30s as I strove to achieve professionally, I'm now 42 I know exactly what they mean. They'd say that they admire me but the boss and business will only take advantage of me, often they did but you don't see it. I suffered stress from bad managers who took advantage of me, I could and should have stopped it but tried to play it straight, it did work out in the end but looking back I could have done it easier and without the stress, I won't do it again, once bitten and all that

My mantra now is to work hard, work well but don't try to be a hero, when I've done my bit I back off, balance is key, a good organisation will respect that

ime, maybe, and only maybe, one in ten organisations count as good. And even in those good ones all it takes is one bobber line manager looking to make a name.

 

[srw]

ime, maybe, and only maybe, one in ten organisations count as good. And even in those good ones all it takes is one bobber line manager looking to make a name.

...or simply unaware and unthinking.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

...or simply unaware and unthinking.

Actually, that is a fair point, well made.

I'm probably (badly) scarred by my experience with macho bobber managers/leaders in commercial-sector IT over the years with low awareness levels and scarcely higher levels of thinking about anything other than goals and objectives.