It’s Not The Profession

I read an article recently where the author began with the statement that stress in this profession is just part of the job; that accepting stress as a given should be expected, anticipated and endured. Really? While there is stress in every job, should those in this profession just accept it? What if it’s not the profession?

Examples

If you have been reading this Monday Message for very long, you know about stress and it’s causes. To refresh your memory, stress is not a result of situations or conditions. Stress IS a result of your inability to enter into and negotiate those situations in effective ways. In fact, stress is the motivator for innovation, building skills and developing resilience. For example,

• When you have too much work to do, it usually means you haven’t learned how to delegate, negotiate and prioritize sufficiently.
• When conversations with clients or staff are difficult, it’s often because you don’t have confidence to enter into those discussions effectively.
• When you are feeling burned out, it’s almost always a result of your inability to balance your work with your life. You haven’t accepted the fact that there is always more work to be done and more life to be lived—more than an individual could possibly cram into their existence.
• When you are feeling out of control of your projects because of hybrid and remote workers, it is a result of not having developed the capabilities to hold high expectations while creating a motivating environment for your workers—virtually.

Proof

Here’s the evidence. Why is it that those who are most knowledgeable and experienced seem to adapt, adjust and engage situations successfully while others wilt and falter? They have developed the confidence to take on the “stressful situations” that others shun. It is not a matter of personal style, DNA or the way they were raised. They learned how to engage effectively the situations that the profession sends them.

I remember my father telling me of a time he was flying to a manager’s meeting. His seatmate was a guy in waste management (called the garbage industry at that time), who fretted and worried that his trash runs would not be run correctly. From that point on, Dad said that he took on a new perspective; that anyone can stress about anything, and that the situation isn’t the problem.

It’s Not The Profession

So, if feeling stressed is not about situations, but is more about our lack of skills or inexperience, why do we blame the profession? Is this profession more stressful than another?

It’s time to conquer much of our stress by learning, growing and developing so that we are equipped to confidently enter into and engage situations that present themselves. In the meantime, remember that it’s not the profession.