How to Face the Fears Holding You Back in Your Job Search

How to Face the Fears Holding You Back in Yur Job SearchFear has always been a piece of the human condition. Weve all experienced the Fight or Flight reaction that drives us to survive when faced with difficult circumstances. In 1932, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed fear in his first inaugural address when he said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. While many fears can paralyze us and leave us lingering in unfulfilling careers, there are ways to overcome such fears and achieve job search success and professional bliss.Problems With FearAccording to Psychology Today, fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger that is imperative to protecting urselves in the event of real threats to our well-being and life. The biggest issue for job seekers is that fear can become a career killer. The stress of updating your resume, writing a cover letter specific to every application, and interviewing for a new job can hold you back from moving ahead. Fear can thwa rt your performance in an interview, unnerve your ability to think clearly, and impede your negotiating capacity. It can even lead you to postpone or ignore a job search altogether.The Fear of FailureWhenever we try something new, there is some risk involved, yet we know without risk there can be no reward. A fear of failure can be debilitating and often keeps people from even attempting to change positions, apply for a promotion, or seek a new job. Not getting the job you applied foror jobs, depending on how many applications you put in and how many resumes you have sent outcan cause a fear of failure to hold you back. Tina Gilbertson, LPC and DCC, said, Failure on a logistical level can expose what feels like an inadequate, childlike, or vulnerable self.Overcoming a Fear of FailureGilbertson makes three recommendations for overcoming your fear of failure. First, write down your personal thoughts about what makes you feel afraid or small. The act of doing this can allow you to acce pt your feelings and give you mora control over them. Next, picture your fear as a child who needs reassurance rather than ridicule. By understanding where the fear is coming from, you can face it head-on. Finally, take small steps toward your goal. Start by filling out one job application online today, followed by two tomorrow. Take your job search at your own pace and build your confidence as you go.Fear of RejectionAuthor and Ph.D. John Amodeo said the fear of rejection is one of our deepest as human beings. We are biologically wired with a desire to belong and we are anxious about the possibility of being rejected because someone might perceive us as bedrngnis being good enough. This fear, like some others, can generate anxiety and depression that stifle our careers and professional growth. Amodeo says the way to overcome this fear is to take note of our self-criticisms and simply accept our reaction if a rejection does occur. If we accept our pain and allow ourselves to grieve (briefly, not wallow), we can heal and learn from the process so we can move forward.Fear of SuccessThe fear of success can result from a variety of causes. The excitement of success can feel close to anxiety for some people, according to Ph.D. Susanne Babbel, because the body experiences the same physiological effects during the excitement of success as during traumasuch as increased heart rate, quickened breathing, and sweating. The idea that the road to success is wrought with risk and, thus, the threat of disappointment (see fear of failure) also causes anxiety. In addition, some people, particularly those who have endured verbal abuse, dont believe they deserve success as they have internalized what they have been told. Yet others simply avoid success because they are uncomfortable with the idea of competition and winning over someone else.Imposter SyndromeImposter Syndrome refers to the inability of high achievers to internalize their success, resulting in the persistent fear that they will somehow be exposed as a fraud. It comes with the hallmark feeling that you may not be good enough for the new job that lies ahead of you or the promotion you accepted. It can surface as a fear that you have been promoted beyond your capabilities, a feeling like youre in over your head, or that you dont have what it takes to meet the expectations of others.Embracing SuccessIn order to overcome your fear of success, know that this is a common feeling, and share your concerns with those closest to you. Try not to pressure yourself to attempt perfection. This fear is fed by unrealistic notions about what is competent and what isnt, so simply ask for help and do your very bestknowing that it is good enough. These steps will help you to rebuild your confidence so that you can perform effectively in your new job.Fear of ChangeAs human beings, we get comfortable with what we know, and we avoid change. Adapting to new situations takes effortbut it can also cause us to grow in unexpected or unusual ways. A fear of change can appear whenever we are growing or taking steps to pursue our goals. While we all know change is inevitable, many people fear it.Say Hello to ChangeKicking this fear to the curb can be a real game changer for many people because it can mean the ability to move forward instead of stagnating in an unhappy or unfulfilling place. Start by investigating your opportunities and asking yourself questions about a potential change. Remind yourself that if something doesnt pan out, it leaves you in no worse a position than you are already inso keep trying The following tips can also help you to overcome your fear of change1. Have the Courage to Trust Yourself and Take the Leap2. Ask Yourself What is the Worst That Could Happen?3. Start Toward Your Goal Knowing You Can Always Change Your Mind4. Pursue Opportunity When it Knocks5. Put Forth Your Best Effort6. Start Small and Work Toward Larger GoalsThe Key Is Taking ActionW. Clement Stone, a busine ssman, philanthropist, and author, said Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will. By taking action, you assume control of your fears. The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers, according to motivational speaker Brian Tracy. David Jensen, a writer and speaker on career issues, wrote in a recent article for Science Actionalmost any typeacts like a balm on your fear. One of the keys to overcoming a phobia is facing it repeatedly over time. So remember that with each application you complete, each resume you submitand the process will become easier and your fears lessened.The World Is Your OysterIt has been said that fear is the greatest illusion. I encourage you not to let your fears choose your destiny but instead drive you to achieve morebecause as you overcome them, you strengthen your resolve and ability to pursue individual greatness. The world is your oysterso dont let fear hold you back any longer.

Eating Chocolate at Lunch and 8 Other Surprising Ways to Beat SAD at Work

Eating Chocolate at Lunch and 8 Other Surprising Ways to Beat SAD at Work Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) impacts over two million people each winter. SAD is characterized by feelings of fatigue, depression, and anxiety that occurs at the same time each year. It can lead to a rough few months, but fortunately, there are ways to combat the symptoms while at work. Here are 11 surprising ways help you kick the winter blues while at work1. Eat dark chocolate.Keeping a bar of dark chocolate at your desk can do more than satisfy your sweet tooth it can also elevate your mood. Studies show that dark chocolate promotes the release of endorphins that provide an instant boost to happiness. Dark chocolate is also rich in serotonin, the neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.2. Drink turmeric tea.Turmeric is a powerful plant that serves many functions and has beenproven to ease symptoms caused by major depression. The main component of turmeric, curcumin, mod ulates various neurotransmitters, so swapping out your morning coffee for a cup of turmeric tea may be the little boost you need to keep the winter blues at bay.3. Invest in a desk plant.While every season has its positives and drawbacks, having most greenery die is one of winters pretty big downsides. Instead of waiting around for March or April to roll around to experience signs of life, take matters into your own hands and invest in a plant for your desk.4. Dab on an essential oil.An essential oil is a concentrated aromatic liquid extracted from plants that are commonly used to promote relaxation. To help deter the winter blues, look for an essential oil with soothing properties such as lavender or lemongrass, and dab it on your wrist throughout your workday. Essential oils are easily available in drugstores, some health shops, and through multiple online vendors.5. Declutter your desk.Spring may be the first season that comes to mind when you think of giving your space a thoroug h cleaning, but in winter, a fresh start can be what you need to help keep the blues at bay. Getting rid of things you dont need and straightening up your everyday items can give your space a more peaceful feeling.6. Get rid of your office blinds.Because winter provides so little opportunity to take in light, its essential to make the most out of the hours that light is available. Ditch the shades in your office, and let as much sunlight in as possible.7. Practice guided imagery.While you may not have time for a full-on meditation session during the work day, practicing guided imagery during a short stretch of downtime may give you the boost of relaxation you need to make it through your day. During a guided imagery session, you may picture something as simple as sitting on a beach or walking through a park at dusk. They key is to zupflmmel an image that engages all of your senses to help you momentarily disassociate and relax.8. Cut carbs.While the first instinct after experiencing a hit of SAD may be to load up on comfort foods like chips and cake, reaching for carbohydrate-rich foods can actually be counterproductive to fighting the blues. The happiness delivered is short lived, as the spike to blood sugar levels will leave you feeling worse after.9. Eat asparagus.Get the most out of your lunch break by using it to help combat SAD. Asparagus contains heaps of tryptophan, an amino acid that is essential to producing serotonin. Add it to a salad or use it as a side to reap the benefits.**Note Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression. The above is an incomplete list of non-pharmaceutical remedies that have been shown to help alleviate SAD symptoms. If you are feeling depressed, please consult a medical professional additionally, you can seek help via one of the following free hotlinesCrisis Call CenterCrisis Text LineNational Suicide Prevention HotlineSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcar t Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.