3 min read

ANXIETY - is this blighting your chances of success?

In 2019 a Coca-Cola European report uncovered an uncomfortable fact about 16 to 25-year-olds. Almost half of them felt that anxiety was a formidable barrier to employment.

More recent evidence reveals that high achievers in various professions and industries are often wracked by anxiety. Everything from mental health problems, imposter syndrome and difficulties in relationships at work.

Oprah Winfrey has been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression. She suffered from these during her early career as a news anchor. Consequently, she found it challenging to connect with her audience. She would often feel overwhelmed and anxious before going on air.
Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer, has not hidden his struggle with anxiety and depression. He has admitted to often feeling overwhelmed and anxious during competitions, which affected his performance. He has credited therapy and medication with helping him manage his anxiety.
Adele, the Grammy-winning singer, has talked about her struggles with anxiety experienced throughout her career. She would often feel anxious before performances and struggle with stage fright.
Emma Stone, the actress, is yet another who has struggled with anxiety since childhood. It has affected her career. To perform, she has had to work hard to manage her stress.
Singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress Lady Gaga has been battling anxiety and depression since the 7th grade. "I curated my life to be an expression of my pain. This is how I overcame my depression, by creating somebody that I felt was stronger than me.”
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has talked about his struggles with anxiety and how he has learned to manage it over time.
Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, has also spoken publicly about his struggles with anxiety and depression.

Despite their successes, many high achievers across multiple fields of endeavour suffer from anxieties. Although they often find ways to disguise their condition, it would be far healthier if, like those mentioned above, they could openly admit it.

Also, high achievers, including students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, are more susceptible to anxiety than others. The main reason is usually the challenge of maintaining high standards and meeting their goals.

CONSTANT STRESS

Whether you are a high achiever or not, the impact of anxiety can be severe and long-lasting.

Constant stress and pressure can lead to burnout, insomnia, and other physical and mental health problems. Anxiety can affect performance, decreasing productivity, creativity, and decision-making abilities. Other reasons include unrealistic expectations, fear of failure, a constant need for validation, and pressure from peers or family members. Additionally, the competitive nature of high-achieving environments can exacerbate anxiety levels, making coping more challenging.

Anxiety may also affect the challenge of actually getting a job. For example, despite high levels of employment in the UK and the increases in education and training, almost one in four young people (Gen Z) take at least half a year to find a job.

STRATEGIES

Despite their anxiety, many people find a way to deal with it and achieve career success. Tackling anxiety involves two basic steps. Step 1 Face up to what’s happening. Trying to push your anxiety away without having a strategy to deal with it is a sure way to let anxiety damage your prospects.

As a result, young people seeking help with mental health problems are rising fast.

Step 2 Even if you cannot entirely resolve all your anxiety immediately, some fixes are worth trying.

Amongst the known remedies are mindfulness meditation, regular exercise, therapy, setting realistic expectations, especially at work and taking breaks when needed.

Another approach is devising a support system of like-minded individuals. These people understand your challenges and can provide crucial emotional support and help alleviate anxiety. Consider building a personal wellness plan to ensure adequate sleep, eat healthily, exercise, and engage in social activities outside work.

A further remedy stems from re-focusing on your life outside work. You can do this by nurturing relationships with people you don't work with and developing interests and skills not used in your current job.

In some situations, you may also benefit from contact with a mental health professional. These practitioners can offer effective coping strategies, provide support and guidance, and recommend medication if necessary.