How Stressful Will 2008 Be For You?

How Stressful Will 2008 Be For You?
How was your 2007? What were your successes?
What would like you to do differently in the coming year?
Did it feel overwhelming at times, juggling the life you
want to live with a fulfilling career?

Given my interest in work-life balance and the state of the
modern workplace, I read a survey last year on the rise of
"extreme jobs" - those that seemingly demand 60+ hour
working week and a personal life that takes a backseat.

You have an extreme job if five or more of the following
characteristics apply to your role:

1. unpredictable flow of work
2. large amount of travel
3. tight deadlines and a fast pace
4. after-hours work events
5. 24/7 availability to clients
6. responsibility for profit and loss
7. mentoring and recruiting of colleagues
8. an assumption of being a physical presence at the office
at least 10 hours a day.

Globally, while men are much more likely to have these
types of jobs, a good third of those in such roles are
women - women like my clients who lament they "need a wife"
to handle all the domestic tasks that don't get done when
they are working such long hours. What is interesting to me
is how exhilarating many people initially find these
careers. Society puts a high financial value on these jobs
- they are often prestigious and well remunerated for the
hours and energy they demand. True, is wonderful to feel
fulfilled in a career to which you would want to dedicate
so much time and energy. However, what I sometimes see in
my practice are people who work long hours until they began
to suffer the physical symptoms of chronic stress. As
rewarding as work can be, our bodies often tell us, through
headaches, ulcers and digestion problems, we are
overworking before our minds are willing to accept it.

According to the Health and Safety Executive in 2002,
work-related stress, depression and anxiety account for
13.4 million working days lost per year, more than any
other work-related illness in the UK and costs £400
million a year. Stress and overwork are often seen as an
individual's problem, though it is pandemic - the World
Heath Organisation estimates stress will cause half of the
ten most common medical problems in the world by 2020 - a
shocking statistic in a world where over half of people
can't rely on safe drinking water.

It is my job to help clients identify their priorities and
feel better balanced - with a fulfilling career but without
the negative ramifications of an "extreme job". I'd invite
you to honestly think about how many characteristics from
the above list apply to you. If it is too many for your
liking, consider the following questions to help prepare
for a better 2008.

Stress Check for 2008

1. How stressful was your job in 2007?
2. Can you maintain that level of stress?
3. How does your body react to stress?
4. What are the signs you are stressed? Who notices these
signs?
5. What tasks could you delegate to have less stress in
2008?
6. What would that give you?

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