After working so hard to get where you are, it’s easy to feel like you can’t stop holding yourself to impossible standards. It can be extremely difficult to step back and prioritize your well-being when you’re constantly focused on your goals and career ambitions. You fear that taking care of yourself will lead to disappointing others, missing out on promotions, or being seen as weak.
As a former management consultant and now a licensed therapist, I deeply understand how hard it is to cope with stress in high-intensity environments. For women, this challenge becomes even more complex. Let’s explore the impact of workplace stress and how therapy can help you develop tools and strategies for managing it, so stress doesn’t control your life.
Perfectionism’s Huge Role in Workplace Stress
When you feel everything you do has to be flawless, it becomes difficult to advocate for your best interests. Most of us struggle to set boundaries even when we know we’re on the brink of being overwhelmed. Saying “no” can feel like sabotaging your professional growth, despite knowing it’s the right choice for your mental health. This is especially true for high achievers who constantly feel pressured to maintain their image.
Perfectionism doesn’t just affect your work life; it can spill over into other areas, making it hard to find time for self-care and social connections. When you’re constantly under pressure, it’s tough to be present and enjoy positive relationships.
Steps for Coping with Work Stress
Taking steps to manage workplace stress and the perfectionism driving it can lead to a healthier way of working and empower growth in other essential areas of your life. Here are three powerful steps to get started:
1. Embracing Vulnerability The first step to effectively managing stress at work is admitting that you have needs you’ve been neglecting. This requires being vulnerable with yourself and others. Once you identify those needs, develop the courage and honesty to ask for support from your coworkers, managers, or friends.
2. Preparing for Difficult Communication Coping with work stress often involves having tough conversations. Clarify what you need to say by asking yourself:
Clarity helps steer the conversation toward real progress, which is crucial as you may feel your perfectionist tendencies trying to pull you back into your shell.
3. Managing Up Managing up is an effective strategy to change how you work with your manager and establish clear expectations to lighten your load. This requires being vulnerable and communicating honestly with your managers.
Therapy for Perfectionism
You may feel that your deep-rooted perfectionism is too difficult to overcome, but I’ve seen firsthand how women can learn to manage it and break free from its exhausting burden. My former career in tech consulting, combined with my work with women like yourself, have shown me just how damaging stress can be in high-intensity workplace environments. These experiences give me a unique perspective on communication and stress management.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward a less stressful, more fulfilling life, contact me directly at 888-987-9582, or fill out this contact form and I’ll reach out.
