Anxiety at work issues

[suebfg]

Does anyone else feel like me?

• over-analyse everything that happens at work
• worry about whether I've done the right thing or not
• if I suspect I might have done the wrong thing, worry myself sick over the weekend that I've done the wrong thing and will be in trouble next week

It's driving me mad. Any tips on how to control it?

Hi Suebfg

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this but I think it is actually quite common to feel like this at some point in your working life; usually when one is suffering a crisis of confidence, perhaps after a break?

It's horrible. The only advice I would suggest is to ask yourself this question 'will my worrying about it now, have the ability to change things?' Mostly the answer is no. Why rob yourself of your downtime (evenings and weekends) stressing about something that is unaffected by your stress?

We all make mistakes at work sometimes but for the most part the job we are in is because somebody else thinks we are actually quite good at it! Don't be so hard on yourself and try to focus on the great contribution you make by being (very obviously) a conscientious worker.

I hope you feel better about this really soon.

Thanks 2Retts - I have changed jobs recently and my last job probably didn't do me any favours in that it probably set me back a few years. So I'm catching up a bit in my new job and think I might have made a bit of a boo boo today which I can justify in my own head but others might see it differently.

I am very conscientious and it is my downfall really - no one criticises me more than I do myself!

YVW suebfg...I know that every employer expects a period of adjustment so please don't be so hard on yourself. Celebrate the opportunity to grow in this new job. Don't worry about whether you can convince others of your justification for mistakes, just learn from it and move on...quickly.

I think you really have to change your focus to celebrating your successes. Sometimes others only see the mistakes as remotely noteworthy when we insist on hovering a magnifying glass over them...don't do it, for your own sake.

I'm sure you're doing great and your employer is privileged to have somebody working for them that cares.

I am exactly the same and yes it is because you are so conscientious. Unfortunately sensitive,thoughtful conscientious people are more prone to stress. For some practical help trying reading Don't sweat the small stuff my copy included don't sweat the small stuff at work.