This Blog offers insightful advice on how to manage anxiety related to job insecurity, particularly when triggered by rumors of restructuring. Here are some of the key points and suggestions that Yogesh shares:

1. Understanding Anxiety

Yogesh explains that anxiety, while uncomfortable, can be useful if harnessed correctly. She likens the brain’s response to anxiety to a “big, dumb gorilla” in the limbic system, which is responsible for identifying threats. The problem is that the brain can’t distinguish between past and present threats, so it might overreact to situations that feel similar to past experiences (such as the fear of losing a job after a previous restructuring). The key is to manage this anxiety with mindfulness.

2. Mindfulness and Self-Reflection

By practicing mindfulness, you can become more aware of your anxious thoughts without judgment. Yogesh encourages you to observe the anxiety with curiosity and ask yourself why it’s happening. For instance, you can acknowledge your anxiety as it arises and reflect on whether it’s related to the current restructuring talk or other worries. This self-awareness helps detach from the emotional reaction and gain perspective.

3. Worst-Case Scenario Thinking

Another strategy to manage anxiety is to engage in worst-case scenario thinking. By allowing yourself to fully imagine the worst-case outcome (losing your job, for example) and then rationalizing it, you reduce its power. Yogesh suggests considering the fact that you’ve already proven you can find another job and might even land a better one. This approach helps put the situation in perspective and diminish unnecessary fear.

4. Career-Building Practices

Yogesh also encourages focusing on things you can control—your performance at work. By ensuring you are seen as a reliable, engaged, and valuable team member, you make yourself indispensable to your organization. She suggests reflecting on whether you:

• Understand your boss’s goals and align your work accordingly.

• Demonstrate reliability, caring, and engagement with your team and organization.

• Take initiative, volunteer for extra work, and look for ways to improve outcomes.

• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance your skills.

These proactive actions help ensure that you remain valuable to your team and decrease the likelihood of being part of a layoff.

5. Practical Tips

Some other small tips include:

• Take deep breaths (inhale for 2 counts, exhale for 4 counts) several times a day to calm your nervous system.

• Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to implement all career-building practices at once—start with one and build from there.

6. Perspective on Anxiety

Finally, Yogesh reminds you that a small amount of anxiety can actually drive success. The fear of failure or being judged can sometimes be the fuel that propels people to perform better. However, too much anxiety can be paralyzing, so it’s about finding the right balance.

Yogesh’s advice encourages you to manage your anxiety constructively and take proactive steps that not only reduce your worry but also enhance your job security. By addressing the root causes of your anxiety and focusing on things you can control, you’ll feel more empowered and less overwhelmed by the uncertainty.