Health and Psychology

I received a great quote in an email. 

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

That's true.  It's also true about work stress.  There is often a lot of ambiguity and lack of communication at work.  There's a simple formula for fixing work stress.  First take a job you understand and can do well.  Have due diligence when you approach a job.  Make sure that you know who you will be reporting to and can deal with their character and temperment.  Make sure you understand not only the goals and objectives about the job but that you understand the day to day requirements of the job.  Make sure you and the job are a good fit.

Deal with problems as they come up.  Don't ignore issues that matter.  If you don't know how to do things ask.  If someone is doing something that is impacting your work life in a negative manner, address the issue with them.  Assume they have the best motives.  The longer you let something go the harder it will be to address it and the more likely you'll be hostile and accusatory when you do approach them.  Forgive people for things they have done to hurt you unintentionally.  Let old problems go when they've been dealt with.

If things are happening at work that are wrongful, then address that.  That's the hard part.  But to let those things go will impact who you are as a person and will eat away at you.  If you stand up you'll often find you are not alone and that those issues need to be addressed.  Work on helping to ensure that things that are wrongful stop.  The issues are stressful but you don't have to be stressed by them.  How you think about those issues will impact how much emotional distress you have. If there is a human resources department available where you work you can get them involved.

There are things that easily contribute to work stress.  Gossip, inuendo and assumptions can make work a stress laden place, so just don't engage in it.  Talk directly to people.  Don't say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face.  And then preferably say it to them. 

If you manage people then be clear and fair with them.  Ask how you are doing as a manager.  Invite feedback and listen to what they say.  Walk around.  Help people.  Understand the difficulties in doing the jobs they are doing.  Remove obstacles they face.  Spend time telling them what they are doing right.  Make sure they understand the mission and purpose of the work they are doing.

Finally, try to do work you have some passion about.  Work can provide a tremendous meaning and purpose to your life.  It can be so much better if it's a calling rather than drudgery.