Performance Management Books By Robert Bacal
Work Stress Getting To You? Getting Help by Robert Bacal
Life is stressful, and life in government, while satisfying can be full of stress, strain and uncertainty. Sometimes, personal issues and problems combine with these stresses to affect your happiness, health and sense of well-being. And sometimes, the pressures can be so overwhelming that you can't work through them yourself. Getting counselling help can be an important tool to help you restore a sense of balance and control in a chaotic world. In this article we are going to talk about when it might be appropriate to seek out this kind of help.
No Shame
|
Most Workplace Conflict IS Preventable Learn how from Conflict Prevention In The Workplace - The Book. A lot of workplace conflict comes from HOW people interact. By changing how you speak you can prevent unnecessary destructive conflict from happening. It's much easier to prevent conflict than manage it once it begins. Conflict Prevention In The Workplace teaches you how-step by step. Free preview available. Click here for more information about Conflict Prevention In The Workplace -- Using Cooperative Communication |
There is a strong tendency to resist the idea that we might need help. It may surprise you to know that many more people seek help than you might think. In fact, it is likely that within your circle of friends or colleagues, at least one person (and probably more) have gone for some form of counselling or support. People just don't talk about it much. This leaves the impression that counselling is for "weak" people, or somehow means that people who seek it out are "abnormal" in some way. It is the opposite. People who ask for help when they need it show a maturity and awareness of themselves that others may not. Those who choose to suffer in silence pay a price that may not be necessary.
It is important to realize that if you go for counselling, it doesn't mean that you are crazy, or abnormal. It just means that you recognize that life is crazy enough to cause problems for the best of us.
Why Do People Seek Help?
People seek help for a number of problems. We can consider three types: addictions, personal problems, and workplace problems.
Addictions to substances such as alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs) can be lethal, and are not confined to the "underbelly of society". Substance dependencies can destroy careers and families and need to be addressed.
Personal problems can include family difficulties such as a shaky marriage, trouble with teenagers, or the loss of a loved one. Orsometimes, anxiety and depression may stem from events that occurred some time ago (eg. abuse). These kinds of problems can also be debilitating, and cause a vicious circle. If they are not dealt with, they may increase distress.
Workplace problems relate to the stress of work, difficult interpersonal relationships with colleagues, or with the boss, or the effects of drastic change in our jobs.
Regardless of the types of issues you may be dealing with, counselling helps you cope more effectively with the problem. Counselling can't remove all the stresses, or "fix everything" but it can help you be better able to cope with what is happening.
Do I Need Help?
Only you can decide. We can suggest some "symptoms" that you might consider as suggesting that you might benefit from a counselling endeavor. But remember, its up to you.
- increased liquor consumption
- increased
conflict at work
- more
work days missed due to sick leave
- less
tolerance for frustration (little things get to you)
- feelings
of anxiety/nervousness
- sense
of futility
- difficulty
sleeping
- changes
in appetite (overeating or undereating)
- hating
going into work
- difficulty concentrating/getting work done
|
Stop Runaway Conflict By Using Your Head Instead Of Your Emotions Learn how from Using Your Head To Manage Conflict Helpcard Once conflict starts we tend to get emotionally caught up in it, and end up handling it badly, because we over-react and stop thinking. You can learn to stop knee-jerk reactions that make conflict worse from Using Your Head To Manage Conflict Helpcard. Learn to CHOOSE the best method and reactions for any particular conflict situation, when it's best not to engage, use power solutions, or go more "cooperative". Free preview available. Click here for more information about how you can become more thoughtful and successful with conflict situations. |
These are some of the signs that indicate that there may be some emotional turmoil in your life that needs attention. Or, they may be temporary reactions that will pass on their own. Again, you need to decide, taking into account how long these kinds of things have been going on.
Where To Get Help?
Most governments have Educational Assistance Programs available to employees. These programs will provide counselling or refer you to other resources that may be more appropriate. If you have a sympathetic family doctor, that may be a good place to start. There are also services offered by psychologists, psychiatristsand other agencies in the community if you prefer to go that route. Costs vary, depending on whether fees are covered by medical insurance plans (psychiatrists or other medical doctors are usually covered).
It is important to realize that counsellors are only human...there are good ones and bad ones. You need to find someone that you can trust, and that fits your own style. In a future issue we will give you some tips to help you decide if acounsellor is "right for you".
Summing Up
Far more people than you would think take advantage of counselling to help them through rough periods. It is important to be alert to the possibility that your burden can be best carried by sharing the load with someone else, and sometimes friends, or family are not enough. There IS help available, and seeking it out indicates that you are mature enough to recognize that you need it.
Copyright
Robert Bacal, 2000 - 2008 Reprint or distribution without permission prohibited.
Contact Information: | Bacal &
Associates | 722 St. Isidore Rd. | Casselman, Ontario, Canada | K0A 1M0
| Phone: (613) 764-0241 | Email: ceo@work911.com
|