The Stress of Professionalism

By Brian Maynor

 

Maintaining a professional image is important to a successful career, but did you know it was also a huge creator of stress?

In fact, psychologists call the stress caused by the effort to maintain a professional image when it is incongruent with how you feel ‘emotional labor’, and it’s a universal part of every job and every life.

Think about how many times you have to make polite small talk in an elevator when you’re exhausted, or smile and nod at your boss’ recommendation when you really want to flip a table.  Whether you call it professionalism or simply good manners, there is a very real and measurable cost to suppressing your true feelings to maintain the air of a professional.  This cost can include: depression, anxiety, burnout or blowup and it isn’t limited to the office.  Work stress carries over into our personal lives as well as the existence of personal stress so loved ones and family members are just as much affected.

Fortunately there are ways to reduce emotional labor and therein decrease the stress it causes.  Here are a few:

1.    Reconnect with your bigger picture.  Since work is a necessity for most of us, when you start to reach your limit it helps to sit back and remember why you’re working.  Even though the job may be dull or a step in your career path, it may be stable and providing needed insurance or income for your family, and being a provider is important to you.  That a moment to remember the reason you work will actually help you feel connected to your job.

2.    Find elements in your job you love.  It’s easy to lump everything about your job together as miserable when you’re unhappy, but try to break it apart so you can find and appreciate various aspects that energize you.  This helps to shift your perspective from something you have to do, to something you want to do.

3.    Employ your crafting skills.  Whether it is restructuring your job or just a project to include more of the elements you love, being hands-on will keep you interested and invested, which also helps decrease emotional stress.  It’s also helpful to craft your words and attitude about your job carefully.  If you refer to them as chores or perpetually maintain a ‘have to’ attitude, then you are creating stress, even if it is an element of your job you enjoy.

It’s easy to view and address the stress of deadlines, to-do lists and information overload you deal with on a daily basis and neglect the stress caused by your emotional labor, but managing it is just as important.  Sometimes you need to give your game face, and yourself a break.

 

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Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.