Mustering and Mastering Fear

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
~FDR's First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

The power of fear is so great in our lives that it can control and influence our way of thinking or our lives in general. The major causes of sickness in most patients emanated from the mind according to medical research. Depression and anxieties are among the prime culprits. In addition, akin to these is fear.

What causes fear?

We get frightened for different reasons. With our differing personalities, some of us appear to be more susceptible to fear than rest of us; while others may appear to have no fear at all even in the face of danger or death.

1. Fear sometimes is an offshoot of our personality and character. The way we view things, our beliefs, and our held traditions can also be causes of fear.
2. Various traumatic events in our lives in the past can also be the cause of our fears. A boy who fell from a tree and broke a limb or two may eventually have fear of heights when he grows into adulthood.
3. Sometimes our fear are brought about by how we grew of up or the kind of environment we live in. If one got used to being nagged by his parents for trivial mistakes, he will likely grow afraid to try new things, take calculated risks, or make decisions on his own.

Fear of the Unknown

There are still other causes of fear which some are valid but mostly, are actually ridiculous. Like the fear of the future. Uncertainty concerning the future is an overwhelming problem for so many of us, especially when what we see or hear are negative things that lessen or diminish our self-confidence. On other cases, sometimes just being associated with a pessimist could also influence us.

How do we overcome our fears?

Let me share a 3-fold simplistic approach:

1. Muster enough courage to face it or deal with it. Identify those fears and condition your mind that those are merely fragments of your imaginings.
2. Master the art of positive thinking. Be an optimist. Find good in all things.
3. Materialize your thinking with your actions by not allowing fear to interfere in your day-to-day activities. Associate yourself with people who are optimist. Enjoy and live life without fear.

»»  read more

30 Signs You Are About To Lose Your Job

The flip side to looking for a job is wondering if you're about to lose the one you have. Worried? Watch for these signs:
1. Your workload is reduced.
2. You start receiving memos about the company's "new direction."
3. Your company introduces technology that replaces humans.
4. Your company starts to close branches in the name of "consolidation."
5. Your company is sold to, or merges with, another company.
6. Your industry in general is starting to outsource.
7. Your industry is in the news and words like "cutbacks" and "downturn" are used.
8. Your company's stock is dropping in value.
9. Your boss asks if you'd consider a pay or benefit decrease.
10. Your boss doesn't like you and is not showing signs of changing.
11. Your mentor/boss-who-likes-you leaves the company.
12. Your boss is replaced by someone who is known for preferring a "hand-picked" team.

13. You aren't invited to important meetings.
14. Your boss "forgets" to give you info you need to do your job.
15. You aren't copied on important emails.
16. You've been getting negative employee reviews.
17. You are getting more written, and less oral, feedback on your performance.
18. You recently screwed up big time.
19. You're not getting the good assignments.

20. You are given all the grunt work.
21. You're being given goals that are impossible to achieve.
22. You're asked to work on a "special" project that has nothing to do with your skills or experience.
23. You are offered "retraining" or special "coaching."
24. Your workspace is moved to an undesirable location.
25. You don't fit in (your workstyle, or your values, don't mesh with the company's).
26. You're overlooked when it comes to deciding who gets to go to seminars or other training.
27. Your subordinates are being given some of your job responsibilities.
28. You haven't received a raise in a very long time.
29. You've been asked to take some time off.
30. You've seen a job posting that sounds an awful lot like your job.
If you're experiencing three of these, take care. Be proactive. Talk with your boss. Ask how you can do better. Spiff up your networking and contacts. Start putting out feelers for other jobs.

__________

This is a guest post by Karen Burns of Working Girl, courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

»»  read more

Contact Form

Thank you so much for taking the time to contact me. I promise to get back to you as soon as possible. ~Nor

»»  read more