Work Tips

What to do when you panic

The state of panic is frightening and uncomfortable, but anxiety disorders expert Jerilyn Ross says it is possible to reduce the power of the experience if you follow the “Golden Rules For Coping With Panic” she has set out in her book Triumph Over Fear.

Here are some of her suggestions:
*Take a moment to realize that the symptoms of panic that you are feeling are frightening, but not dangerous.

*Note that the physical symptoms you’re experiencing are exaggerations of normal bodily reactions.

* Don’t fight or wish away your feelings. Facing them will make them less intense.

*Stay in the present without traveling to what might happen.

*Don’t fall into the “what if” way of thinking. This will only make you feel worse.

*Instead of focusing on your fear, set out on a simple task for distraction.

*When you experience fear, expect and accept it, and let it start to fade away.

*Watch your fear and label it from 0 to 10. Watch how it goes up and down. Become aware of the changes it undergoes, and how the very levels of fear do not last very long.

*You’ve probably suffered high levels of fear before -- and you’ve survived. Focus on this point.

Good idea?
Don’t ignore it!
If a good idea occurs to you, what do you do? Do you go to your manager and share it with him or her so you can give it a try? Or do you merely shove the idea to the back of your mind and ignore it? Unfortunately many great ideas get shelved this way and never see the light of day.

The next time a great or even good idea occurs to you, and you automatically dismiss it or ignore it, think of this: If you never try, you will never succeed. Give it a shot and see what happens.

Reprinted from Central Vac Professional, March 2007