For many people, their job is one of the biggest sources of stress. As you wake up on a Monday morning to get ready for work, you’re already dreading the day ahead because of all the hurdles that lay ahead. By the time you’re done with the day, you feel drained of all energy and are probably looking for a drink to numb your nerves for a while. But life is not just work and work is not supposed to be so stressful. So, here are 5 of the biggest stress factors at work and what you can do about them.
1. Lack Of Control
One of the biggest contributors to job stress is the feeling of having no control. Most jobs require a lot of collaboration between colleagues within teams and from teams across different departments. If you’re in charge of delivering a certain assignment but rely on inputs from other people, you’re most certainly constantly stressed because it’s your neck on the line if the other parties do not get back to you on time.
Solution: Try to negotiate realistic deadlines and get all the parties involved before committing to a delivery date. If something is very urgent, make your colleagues understand the urgency work out a schedule so that they know what is expected of them and when.
2. Increased Responsibility
Growth in the corporate world happens only when you take on more responsibilities. However, that also means more work to complete in the same amount of time. People take on more work thinking they can manage it all. But as the tasks keep piling on, it gets increasingly more difficult to handle. As a result, you feel overworked and stressed.
Solution: If you want to climb up the ladder, you have to take on challenging work. Work on your organization skills and use apps and calendars to set reminders rather than constantly keeping a mental list. If your hands are really full, learn to say no. There will be other opportunities in the future.
3. Job Satisfaction And Performance
The people who are most satisfied with their jobs are the ones who find meaning and purpose. If you don’t attach enough value to the work you’re doing, you will find the job stressful. Insecurity is another reason why people keep worrying. Constantly thinking about whether you’re doing well can be a very bad space to be.
Solution: Try to look at your job in the larger context of what your company does. Every business exists because it’s fulfilling a certain human need. Once you understand your contribution, it’s easier to find meaning in your job. Also, instead of worrying about how you’re performing, talk to your manager and find out if there’s something you can do better.
4. Poor Communication
Even though the world today is more connected than ever before, the message sometimes seems to get lost. Interteam and intrateam communication are very important for people to function well. When you’re not aware of what is expected of you, it leads to confusion and chaos. Not making your expectations known can also lead to complications later.
Solution: If you’re in a leadership role, be clear about what you expect from each team member. If you’re a team member who’s not clear about the task at hand, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ultimately, everyone involved wants the job done and communicating only helps to get it done faster.
5. Lack Of Support
Getting new responsibilities can become a nightmare if you do not have the skills or support system to help you deliver. Additional work without the required support is like sending a soldier into the battlefield with no weapons to fight. This can leave you in a very difficult and stressful situation at work.
Solution: Talk to your manager about becoming your mentor. If that’s not an option, you can always look for mentors in your industry. You could also upskill yourself by doing online courses and talking to people who have had similar roles before. You’d be surprised how empathetic people can be.
