Stress and anxiety are very common among engineers. This article includes a list of techniques that engineers can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties.
At times, we have to deal with stresses and anxieties when many things happens all at once. When this happens, take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. Take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give you a fresh perspective on things.
When faced with a current or upcoming task in your career that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Dealing with smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking.
When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one.
Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty.
Even if the thing that you feared does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which may work to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline was extended and he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.
In dealing with your anxieties at your engineering job, learn to take it one day at a time.
While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Gather ALL of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.
Take advantage of the help that is available around you.
If possible, speak to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current challenges. By speaking to a professional, you will be helping yourself in the long run by gaining knowledge to help you to deal with not only your current challenges, but your future challenges as well.
Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.
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Aboout the Author
Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/
Great advice Stan. Thank you. I especially liked taking things one day at a time. As engineers, we often get wrapped up in the details so much that we lose sight of the big picture. Step back, take a breath and relax! We are helping make the world a better place.
With regards to Stan’s advice, i would have to say he is right!!! We as engineers are always under the gun,with regards to dead lines,and customer changes! Taking time to step back from a large project,and take one’s mind off of it,really does help!!! I have found that, if i just slow down,and focus on something pleasant, and relaxing, for just a moment,really helps to put things into prospective!!!! I can come back to it, with a fresh mind,and a new way of looking at it, that i really didn’t see at first,because i was rushed!!! It is a good habit to adopt,and in the long run, it helps to make one a better engineer!!! I must commend Stan on seeing a problem,and coming up with a very workable solution!!!!!! Thanks Stan!!!!
Thank You Bertrand for your feedback, I too believe that slowing down and focusing on one thing in this fast paced age of multi-tasking, can be extremely powerful and critical to your success. Just as important, it allows you to lead a less stressed, more enjoyable career and life!