Pressure at work - how do you handle it?

[beanzontoast]

For me, once I get to the point where there are half a dozen things competing for my time, I get a fuggy feeling in my head just behind the eyes - kind of a warning of an impending overload. If I keep going full pelt after this, I end up feeling lousy.

I find if I stop completely and take stock, set everything aside but for the thing that will either take the least time to finish (or which is the most urgent), it eases off.

There are also times in the day when I have to leave the office and just walk the length of the corridor to restore a sense of perspective on things.

 

[yello]

I couldn't. I had a breakdown. I guess that was my body's way of handling it.

 

[Fnaar]

Like you, I have countless calls on my time, from many different people, for all sorts of different reasons. I developed a rule about 10yrs ago (when I was working full-time and also writing a book in my 'spare' time, under contract, so it had to be delivered). The rule is, work is work and home is home. Now I'm no longer writing, but I keep the rule. The moment I shut the office door, I'm not at work. The moment I enter the office, I am (I can't account for my time on here, though Doesn't seem to fit the model).

 

[beanzontoast]

I couldn't. I had a breakdown. I guess that was my body's way of handling it.

Hope things have looked up for you since.

 

[beanzontoast]

Like you, I have countless calls on my time, from many different people, for all sorts of different reasons. I developed a rule about 10yrs ago (when I was working full-time and also writing a book in my 'spare' time, under contract, so it had to be delivered). The rule is, work is work and home is home. Now I'm no longer writing, but I keep the rule. The moment I shut the office door, I'm not at work. The moment I enter the office, I am (I can't account for my time on here, though Doesn't seem to fit the model).

I used to work at home a fair bit, but I've consciously stopped myself doing this as much as possible now, because it was taking over my life. I was forever doing stuff because it would be one less thing to do back in the office, and in consequence, I was taking on far more work than I had time to do. (Not for the first time - my previous job did the same, and Mrs B hated it).

 

[tyred]

I know it's something I struggle with myself but you need to try and switch off and forget about work when you leave the office. If you feel things piling on top of you while you are at work, take a short break and find something to do to relax for 5 minutes. I'd probably have a fag but I'm sure there are healthy alternatives!

 

[joolsybools]

Hi, this is one i stuggle with sometimes too. Taking a quick time out is a good one (going for a 10 minute walk or something) if you can. Try and get hold of some info from the web or a good book about time management and one about stress management - just have a look on Amazon or suchlike or the library. Your local community college may run these sort of courses too.

Do your employers have an EAP (employee assistance programme)? These are normally confidential helplines where you can talk through issues. Can you also talk to your manager? It may be a case of there genuinely being too much to your role. It may also be a case of you needing to learn to say no or re-negotiate unreasonable deadlines/negotiate priorities.

Hope some of the above may help. Good luck!

 

[beanzontoast]

I know it's something I struggle with myself but you need to try and switch off and forget about work when you leave the office. If you feel things piling on top of you while you are at work, take a short break and find something to do to relax for 5 minutes. I'd probably have a fag but I'm sure there are healthy alternatives!

Maybe I should try yoga?

I do find the fresh air of a commute home is brilliant for clearing the head.

 

[Fnaar]

I occasionally go for a pint on my own on the way home, too, if there's time. Not with colleagues (or we'd talk about work... I go with them on other occasions)... but if I need to unwind, just me, a pint, and the newspaper.

 

[col]

I used to get stressed when things got hectic , but now Iv come to realise you can only do what you can one thing at a time. Then move on to the next one. As for being very busy, more speed less haste, and just crack on. You cant keep worrying about things you cant do at the time or you will end up ill eventually. If there isnt enough time in the working day even after you have flogged on, then the staffing level needs looking at, they pay you to work for them, not be ill for them.

 

[yello]

Hope things have looked up for you since.

Yes they have thanks. It was a few years ago now. Helluva shock really since at the time I thought I could cope and was coping. Someone mentioned their concern for me, said I was withdrawn and possibly depressed... it was the trigger I needed. I finally could admit (to myself as well) that I couldn't cope. I then pretty much imploded; cried, became numb, stared emptily, a zombie. I'd say it was a couple of months of feeling empty and lost and useless before I started to deal with normal stuff again.

I'm still gentle with myself. I don't know if that's through fear of it happening again or whether I'm still recovering. I think the former. Though in all truth I don't think I'll ever be able to handle pressure again, if I ever could.

 

[beanzontoast]

Yes they have thanks. It was a few years ago now. Helluva shock really since at the time I thought I could cope and was coping. Someone mentioned their concern for me, said I was withdrawn and possibly depressed... it was the trigger I needed. I finally could admit (to myself as well) that I couldn't cope. I then pretty much imploded; cried, became numb, stared emptily, a zombie. I'd say it was a couple of months of feeling empty and lost and useless before I started to deal with normal stuff again.

I'm still gentle with myself. I don't know if that's through fear of it happening again or whether I'm still recovering. I think the former. Though in all truth I don't think I'll ever be able to handle pressure again, if I ever could.

Good to hear you got back from that place. We should all learn to be gentle with ourselves. For me, I think part of it is learning to say 'no' to taking on more when I'm working at capacity. It is hard though when you are used to saying 'yes'. It's an ingrained habit.

 

[Scoosh]

Yes they have thanks. It was a few years ago now. Helluva shock really since at the time I thought I could cope and was coping. Someone mentioned their concern for me, said I was withdrawn and possibly depressed... it was the trigger I needed. I finally could admit (to myself as well) that I couldn't cope. I then pretty much imploded; cried, became numb, stared emptily, a zombie. I'd say it was a couple of months of feeling empty and lost and useless before I started to deal with normal stuff again.
A cautionary tale. Sounds awful

I'm still gentle with myself. I don't know if that's through fear of it happening again or whether I'm still recovering. I think the former. Though in all truth I don't think I'll ever be able to handle pressure again, if I ever could.

So glad you are feeling better - and I would guess that all your cycling is helping big time - all those feelgood endorphins whizzing around (but don't watch Cyclogs too carefully, otherwise they'll be feelbad somethings , possibly relating to longers, merlin321 etc )

 

[yello]

Yes, the cycling did/does help - big time.

I haven't looked at cyclogs today... I take it I'm being overhauled then!

 

[Scoosh]

Yes, the cycling did/does help - big time.

I haven't looked at cyclogs today... I take it I'm being overhauled then!

oooooopppps