Articles

Are you working scared?

Jana M. Kemp

‘Tis the season to reflect, rejoice and consider regrouping. We’re officially into the holiday season that soon will ring in a new year. Consider this question: are you working scared or working too comfortably?

Over the last decade in the Treasure Valley, we’ve seen businesses come and go, lay-off people and re-hire them, and even seen lay-offs that leave people jobless for months and years. As we conclude Thanksgiving weekend, giving thanks for the good in our lives can help us get through the hectic month ahead.

And as a part of reflecting and regrouping, answering the working scared or working too comfortably questions matter because 2007 is a new year. It will be a year for making important life decisions and for finding the backbone and strength to stand up for what is right in your life, in your work lives and in the lives of your family members. Here are some ideas to factor into your reflections.

You are working scared if any one of these things apply: fearing being fired, fearing being laid-off, fearing what others are saying about you at work, fearing that your work is being criticized unjustly, fearing that others are getting promotions and pay-raises when you are the one doing all the work, or fearing that your reputation has been damaged.

Working scared is unhealthy for your mind and your body. Science has repeatedly proven that ongoing fear and stress can lead to physical ailments and sickness. Working scared also saps your creativity and your ability to make good decisions.

You may be working too comfortably if any one of these things apply: life is good – there is no need to put out any extra effort, I’m in a rut but I know the routine and can manage it, there are no challenges left for me at work so I put all my energy into other parts of life, or I always make safe decisions so that I don’t get hurt.

Working too comfortably is unhealthy too. When in a rut or making always-safe decisions, creativity and problem-solving suffer. Personal growth suffers too because you’re not learning anything new, not adding to your skill-sets, and not adding to your energy stores. Remember that making safe decisions is not necessarily good decision-making.

Action Item: Remove workplace fear from yourself or remove yourself from your workplace in the coming year.
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Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.