20 years of stress
As a career changer I entered the teaching profession to reduce my stress. I went from being a firefighter/paramedic to working in the culinary arts industry, now I teach. The 20 years of stress encountered prior to these changes was horrific. The funny thing is... it is still there, just with different names, faces, and situations.
Stress can be a good motivator but it causes more damage then good. One must become one with the stress, take a deep breath, let it out and accept the process of dealing with a situation. For most in the teaching industry this acceptance of stress is just prioritizing the elements associated with the event and take one element on at a time. There is a saying... "you can eat an elephant if you take one bite at a time".
When my students stress to me that they are in crisis I remind them that it is best to identify the stressors and face them head on. And since the career change I kind of do it in a light-hearted manner by stating: "if you burn your product (remember the kitchen setting), it's not like someone is going to die".
It took me 20 years of stress to develop the patience to look stress in the eye and make a split decision whether or not it will affect me or not, either way... it is my choice.
I know people who "work better under stress". Stress keeps them pumped up and more efficient they say.
Then the crash. The shut down, burn out. It's just a matter of time before it takes its toll. I like a certain amount of stress, but I also can recognize when I need to take a moment and realize that some things are just out of my control. Tomorrow is another day, breath and stay calm. You do have control on how you respond. Yes, we do have a choice.
