If You Need Help. Get It...

Performance Anxiety: What is it and Can it be Beaten?

 Performance Anxiety: a relatively unknown term to umbrella a common issue in the workplace. But it affects more people than we think. 

We all want to do well in our careers and we all want to be respected by our piers and superiors. That familiar anxious feeling we get when we start a new job or begin a new project is normal; and is in fact helpful in creating the drive and motivation we need to get things done on time and to the best of our abilities. But when this expected level of anxiety escalates to higher and uncontrollable levels, the opposite occurs; leaving a detrimental affect on our productivity. 

One of the reasons why Performance Anxiety occurs is the desire to live up to both our own expectations and the perceived expectations of others. When we feel overwhelmed by the amount of work we have to accomplish, we can doubt ourselves in our ability to reach our goals. The possibility of visible ‘failure’ in the presence of ‘significant others’ can make even the most ambitious of us dodge more challenging duties / projects and focus on the smaller tasks that we know we can control. 

A similar feeling is often experienced following a promotion. When we take on a role with extra responsibility, we become aware that ‘the higher we are, the longer the drop to fall’ and again, our unproven capabilities come under self-analysis. While these feelings of uncertainty and apprehension are expected at some level, they become a problem when they affect our ability to function at our optimal levels.  

Although the law provides protection for employees and employers suffering from long-term illnesses, the symptoms of Performance Anxiety can be vague, making it difficult to recognise.  Signs such as avoiding career advancements, regular sickness absences from associated mental and physical symptoms and a lessened contribution in the workplace may be perceived as a disinterest from the job.  The irony is, however, that people who suffer from Performance Anxiety are usually the ones with a genuine interest in their careers. 

So is Performance Anxiety inevitable for some people? Is it an unavoidable complaint in this highly-pressured, deadline- driven world? 

Does it have to go overlooked, misunderstood and undiagnosed? 

Not at all!

I've worked with a ton of professionals in business who were suffering this problem. The great thing is when they got help, that feeling of feeling helpless, frustrated, lost and overwhelmed became a thing of the past.

If anyone out there is needing help. Don't wait until the volcano erupts...or the ships sinks...

Get help before it's too late.