While sitting on the sofa eating a whole sleeve of thin mints and watching Mortal Combat this blog idea popped in my head. When works comes a-knockin’ don’t feel obligated to put pants on and go help. I mean let’s be honest who really likes pants? Here are some situations that I learnedwas making my anxiety worse and whatbive done to help shift my focus.
If work asks for you to work overtime.…
Say no, unless you just want extra sending cash or have nothing better to do. Don’t sacrifice your off day helping because you overthink and think about how others might see you or your anxiety takes over and causes you to go in out of guilt. It was nothing for me to work 70 hours of overtime on top of my normal schedule and would worry myself crazy because I thought it was my job to cover shifts. I noticed that there were other employees not even pulling 5 hours of overtime and getting paid more than I was. I would miss family activities, holidays, and special events while my coworkers went to all their special events and things they wanted to attend.
If work asks you to take on extra….
Say no, if you don’t want to say no then ask for a pay raise. You shouldn’t have to work over and pull extra time unless you are getting paid extra. Don’t take on the extra stress just because your employer feels you’ll take it on for free. There have been plenty of times I have taken on extra responsibility at work and not gotten paid for it. The stress of that wasn’t worth it and half the time I never got a thank you. All that I got instead was an anxiety attic and stress ate a whole box of Texas Toast for dinner.
If coworkers start drama….
Stay away, stay far far away. If Paula comes up to you and tells you about Henry’s divorce don’t touch it with a ten foot poll. Say something like I’m sorry Paula but my fish has ick and I’m too stressed about that to listen to you right now….or something else that’s just a suggestion. I noticed when I stopped taking to others about others problems at work I became more at ease. Because when I was listening to the rumor mill I was also asking myself what are they asking about me and then spend hours at night coming up with countless suggestions or things they might be saying.
In conclusion, let your off days be our off days. Don’t take on extra things at work for free because if they want you to do it then they will find the money to compensate you. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself because if you don’t no one else in the workplace will.
The Anxious Gent 