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Managing overwhelm at work

Remigirl

As a manager at work, tasks can often include confronting tasks (or what feel confronting). E.g. facilitating workshops or training sessions with people that are completely new and unfamiliar to me. This sends me into a state of fight or flight instantly when I hear about the task. I fear ALL of it, not knowing how to act/speak, what questions will people ask and what if I don't know the answers, and so on.

I'm wondering if anyone experiences similar feelings/experiences within their work setting and how they manage it? 

It often feels unmanageable and I try to ground myself in the moment but end up feeling consumed by it and trying to find a way out. However, with it being part of my role sometimes this isn't an option.

Parents

  • I work as an employment specialist helping people with disabilities find/excel at work. The job is very social, as not only do I have do work with people that are unpredictable, I also often have to do cold calls and drop ins with potential employers as well. It really pushes me outside of my comfort zone, and I’ve many times faced overwhelm.

    For me, probably what helps the most is knowing that my coworkers have my back. They know my diagnoses, so they’re aware that sometimes I might get a little over my head. I’ve had a few times where my boss has been willing to go to bat for me with a troubling situation.

    In regards to mindfulness and grounding yourself, I can understand that you’re probably in social situations where you can’t immediately ground yourself. In those cases, I tend to take stock internally of “what can I control versus what can’t I control.” That can be a quick trick to remind yourself that you don’t have to be responsible for every thing, especially things that someone else is in charge of such as their own emotions.

    I hope that helps, I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time. That’s got to be exhausting to go through a whole workday masking your fight or flight response.

  • in reply to profdanger

    Thank you for replying. I most definitely am pushed out my comfort zone on a day to day basis - I have meetings most days which I can handle to an extent but it's times that feel more overwhelming it just feels out of control and that I am uncapable of 'normal interactions'. 
    My manager is aware and very open with me, however most of my colleagues aren't aware as I am new in post and don't have the relationships yet. 

    Taking stock of my surroundings sounds like it would be manageable for me, as I often find myself disassociating and trying to keep myself present, especially when meetings are back to back.

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  • in reply to profdanger

    Thank you for replying. I most definitely am pushed out my comfort zone on a day to day basis - I have meetings most days which I can handle to an extent but it's times that feel more overwhelming it just feels out of control and that I am uncapable of 'normal interactions'. 
    My manager is aware and very open with me, however most of my colleagues aren't aware as I am new in post and don't have the relationships yet. 

    Taking stock of my surroundings sounds like it would be manageable for me, as I often find myself disassociating and trying to keep myself present, especially when meetings are back to back.

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