Dealing with job-related stress
After having one of the most frustrating days in recent memory, I’ve had to leave work with a problem (actually, several closely related problems) unresolved as my stress levels were making it impossible to either concentrate or think rationally.
In any job where you’re essentially solving problems for a living you’re going to have issues that take longer than you think they should - that I understand and accept. The hard part for me is trying to stop thinking about it (on the train home I had my notepad and pen out, scribbling notes about the problem in case they come in useful tomorrow).
Let’s hope a movie (Aliens), a cold beer and an early night do the trick.
Tags: Programming, stress, Work
June 10th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I exactly know what you mean, I had to cope with some relative simple algorithm couple of days ago and it really did my head. Couldn’t stop thinking about it at home till I finally worked it out… No much stress involved though, just too much of ambition ;-)
June 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Good to know I’m not alone Tomek! For what it’s worth, four hours solid work the following morning had it solved :)
June 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Dealing with stress on the job is one thing, but dealing with stressfull people/boss on the job is another. Taking personal responsibility in our work enviornment is vital to job happiness. Shelly Anderson’s book “Dealing With Divas” was handed to me not too long ago and I can tell you that it offers great tips to learning how to start enjoying my job again. I love it and highly recommend picking it up.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Stress can be good as it can help push your boundaries and improve your work, but like most things - only in moderation. I quite often find myself thinking about work related problems at home and often find that these continued background thought processes mean that come the next day you see a solution you didn’t see earlier.
However, when I start having dreams about the problems I know it’s maybe gone a little too far!