Work anxiety

[Rumors]

I have always had this high stress, fast paced, deadline oriented job. I own my businesses and my work hours are often super early until late at night and I always have a lot of balls juggling. In the last year, I have noticed the toll it is taking. I feel stressed all the time, I can't handle the stress anymore, my anxiety is through the roof, I'm sick or feel bad all the time, and my blood pressure is high. I think as I continue my healing journey my awareness of "myself" has become more relevant and in doing so I am more in touch with my "feelings." It's enough that I want to sell out. I can't handle the stress anymore.. I'm exhausted. It's time for a course correction but that in itself is scary too....
anyone else?

 

[blackemerald1]

Well I think your body is telling you it won't put up with this kind of treatment much longer and you'd be doing yourself harm if you decided to ignore it.

In saying this, without knowing the structure of your businesses which you obviously love and are dedicated to, is there another solution aside from selling up? Unless you know without a shadow of a doubt that's the only way to deal with this.

Can you outsource time consuming tasks that take up too much of your time? Or, tasks that don't require your expertise or judgement? Can you stream line or eliminate aspects of your businesses they you hate doing?

In doing so, use that time to improve your health....

And ask yourself is it only the businesses that I need to deal with?

It seems that finding some way of reeling in the over-the-top aspects of your businesses so you can dedicate yourself to healthier routines might be an alternative?

Things like sleep, exercise a decent diet and treating yourself to some comfort might help you find a way to accommodate your health and have a better lifestyle whilst keeping your business interests.

I think the good thing here is that you are at least starting to ask the questions. :)

 

[Rumors]

In saying this, without knowing the structure of your businesses which you obviously love and are dedicated to, is there another solution aside from selling up? Unless you know without a shadow of a doubt that's the only way to deal with this.

I am beyond a shadow of a doubt over it. I'm not sure how much I loved my job as much as I loved the game. I don't want to play the game anymore. My blood pressure stays 150/90 to 160/100 and I am in my 40's. I don't sleep anymore and I definitely don't do anything to comfort myself. I think my job was also a means to stay perpetually busy to run from my dysfunction but I don't want to do that anymore. I am ready for less stress and to chill out a little more. I have tried to hire people but I swear I end up doing it anyway. I dont think I am the best at what I do by any means, but I just outwork people so my productivity is super high. I'm over it.... we have a home in Florida and I never get there bc I am always too busy. We were going to buy a place in the mountains that is closer but I am wondering if that is even a good idea... I dunno. I am just at my wits end.

 

[blackemerald1]

My blood pressure stays 150/90 to 160/100 and I am in my 40's. I don't sleep anymore and I definitely don't do anything to comfort myself.

^Well they are not good numbers for sure.

I think my job was also a means to stay perpetually busy to run from my dysfunction but I don't want to do that anymore.

^Using work to avoid? You are not alone with that one either. It's so good you see why you were doing it.

I am ready for less stress and to chill out a little more.

^It sounds like you are overdue for a change of pace.

I have tried to hire people but I swear I end up doing it anyway.

^Are you a control freak? Would that go with the modus operandi that makes up your lifestyle? Maybe you can learn to relinquish some of that productivity for getting the job done, by someone else here and there and therefore retaining the business interest?

Idk... but you've convinced me Rumors - for sure.

I guess I'd just add that being methodical about how you transition from full throttle workaholic to something less might need to be gradual and gentle whilst always keeping your eyes on the goal. So make a plan & consult lawyers and accountants to avoid stress creeping in on another level.

In the meantime it wouldn't hurt to get to the doctor and work on getting that bp down like yesterday! I gotta say that's not a score card anyone would be proud of so maybe even medication might be necessary.

Have an assessment for a gentle exercise program, modification of diet and ease your body up a little. It's telling you to be kinder to it and I'm pleased you are listening.

You cannot avoid all stress because if you did well to be honest you'd have to be dead to achieve that. :sorry: But, altering your lifestyle and enjoying yourself and what you've worked so hard for, is achievable in stages. But again, first up - a medical and some in real life advice about a exercise program so you live long enough to give up work on your terms.

You may find that other problems like not sleeping etc., are resolved along the way.

Good luck and please keep us informed about how you do this.

 

[Rumors]

^Are you a control freak? Would that go with the modus operandi that makes up your lifestyle? Maybe you can learn to relinquish some of that productivity for getting the job done, by someone else here and there and therefore retaining the business interest?

Yes I am sometimes a control freak but my job is so much about meeting time frame goals. If I miss them then it starts a chain reaction that is difficult to unwind. Fact is, when I relinquish things and try to turn some things over I don't meet my contractual time frame, my product quality goes down, and I don't make as much money. I'm ready for a career change. I am incredibly grateful for the experience I have had and the success I have had over the last 25 plus years but I am pretty much done. I have had the privilege of having great success... I am lucky..but success today looks different than it did 20 years ago. I don't want to sound ungrateful...

 

[Deanna]

Have an assessment for a gentle exercise program, modification of diet and ease your body up a little. It's telling you to be kinder to it and I'm pleased you are listening.

That's exactly what came to my mind when OP posted. Good point. With blood pressure like that, it no one is there, the businesses can't run.

 

[blackemerald1]

I am lucky..but success today looks different than it did 20 years ago. I don't want to sound ungrateful...

You are not ungrateful at all. You are recognising the limits your body has. I can see you want to stay healthy and enjoy the benefits of working so hard and long - retirement or at least semi retirement? Maybe can you teach in the field of your expertise?

I understand what you mean by with meeting time frames and deadlines. It's a shame you do not have a protege to take over. Have you fixed a date in your head to begin? Have you mapped out a way to exit? Have you given any serious thought to what you may do once you leave?

 

[Deanna]

Yes I am sometimes a control freak but my job is so much about meeting time frame goals.

Yeah.. I use to be and I use to make money ( little money) like nobody's business. I've had a business for 30 years. No high blood pressure. Slowing down a bit. I'll say one thing though. If I hadn't started this job, I would have missed out on so many opportunities. Met my partner ( who died) through my business.

Own a small house, with a small yard and a small ?. You need something for sleep.. I take pills for sleep because I have insomnia. Do, get in to something that gifts you time here and there. That's the true gift. Not lots of money. Start out walking a mile a day.

I was in corporate for 10 years before I started this biz, up. 8-5

 

[Rumors]

Have you fixed a date in your head to begin? Have you mapped out a way to exit? Have you given any serious thought to what you may do once you leave?

Yes...I am working towards my exit now. It will take a while but hopefully by spring I will have a huge load off my plate. I don't know what I will do next except get healthy. I don't "have" to work, but I have always worked so I am not sure what that will look like. I've worked since I was 16...

 

[whiteraven]

Oh, I can totally relate! I've been dealing with an incredible amount of anxiety at and about work. I don't work for myself, but the employees at my job are treated like they have no value. I am much better at home...someone contacted me today from work (I've been off since Saturday) to let me know that we hired someone new and nobody even told me we were hiring. I'm in lower management and supposed to know before others. And, supposed to be involved in the hiring process. It creates an immense amount of anxiety for me and i'm not even there.

Yes...I am working towards my exit now.

This is good to hear. It can be a little scary to make such a big change, but you will be able to focus on something that is less stressful. Give it a little time!