Constant worry takes a real toll. Anxiety is a part of the job search, career change and re-entering the workplace. But if allowed to flourish, worry will rob you of the energy, focus and resolve you need to achieve your goals. It simply will not serve you. While fully overcoming anxiety is unlikely, you can learn to manage it. You can lessen its grip on you—and use it to strengthen your determination.

Don’t feed your worry. Worrying about something isn’t the same thing as actually working on it.

Start with these tools to help you manage stress:

1.  Live in the present. Much of our suffering comes from anticipating and imagining various futures. We constantly replay worst-case scenarios in our minds. There’s no real living in the future.

2.  Action often reduces anxiety. Stay focused. Do your part each day. Are you diligently working your action plan? Take charge of the activities you can. Prepare. Identify and research potential employers, plan and execute your approach, follow up.

Keep on going. Opportunities are discovered and won through persistence. As Jane Goodall said, “If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way.”

3.  Take extra special care of yourself. Constant worrying works against you. You can manage anxiety by following sound self-care practices - eat well, exercise and get enough sleep. Seek balance. Avoid excesses and self-destructive behaviors. This is the time for great gentleness and unconditional self-respect.

For those wanting more information and support with handling anxiety, two good resources are: WebMD “Coping with Anxiety” and MayoClinic.com “Generalized Anxiety Disorder.”

4.  Don’t go it alone. As you walk through your work search process, avoid isolation. It warps your perspective and feeds depression. Ask for support and encouragement. Friends, family, work search buddies and support networks are wonderful connections.

Jerome P. Fleishman wisely said, “Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.”

You can manage the stress and worry. Don’t allow it to have such a loud voice. If anything, harness its energy into action to help you accomplish your goals.

Worry is a misuse of imagination. - Dan Zadra

Today’s question
If your anxiety is getting the better of you, can you see ways that would help you better manage it?