Are You Suffering From A Business Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

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Many people who have worked or are currently working in Corporate America suffer from some of the problems that impact soldiers

. Although the conditions experienced in an office aren't life threatening as on a battle field, they do impact an individual's livelihood which is core to one's survival.

Wikipedia, describes Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a "psychological injury that results from protracted exposure to prolonged social and/or interpersonal trauma with lack or loss of control, disempowerment and in the context of either captivity or entrapment, i.e. the lack of a viable escape route for the victim."

This is what happened to me and I have found many others who have had similar experiences. It took me several years to put the pieces together, but I had to figure out how a loyal, hard-working, and positive individual (me) became demotivated and depressed after a successful 30 year career as a human resources manager.

I spent most of my career working for small companies. When my company merged with another, I was excited to finally get an opportunity to work for a name brand multi-billion dollar global organization. What I didn't anticipate was just how that change would impact me so dramatically.

This is what I learned:

Lack of control. As a manager in a small company, you have a greater span of influence. If you identify a problem or issue, there are less layers of management you have to deal with and are more likely able to advocate for a resolution and be a part of the solution.

In the mega-companies of today many of the key policies are made at a corporate or global level. Making changes requires a complex strategy and movement is slower. While there may be an opportunity to modify and have input, managers spend most of its time selling and implementing the decision, policy, initiative or program that was already created.

Conflicts arise when the policy or imposed solution--perhaps effective for some functionsdo not work effectively in this situation--kind of like putting a round peg in a square hole. Over time, these seemingly minor concessions can go against personal values of integrity and fairness.

Chronic fear. It doesn't matter what industry you work incompanies are struggling to maintain a competitive advantage and positively effect their bottom line. Workers find themselves in the midst of perpetual reorganizations, out-sourcing, lay-offs, increasing expectations and/or dramatic changes for jobs. Even if they are not impacted by the change du jour, individuals are instructed to go about "business as usual" while they witness their peers and colleagues interview to keep their current job or vie for a reduced number of jobs--knowing the next reorganization may be their own.

Feeling helpless. You can't turn on a TV or open a newspaper without hearing the doom and gloom of the economy and the ever-increasing unemployment levels. It's easy to feel trapped in your current job because there are "no opportunities" out there. You may be miserable, but you resign yourself to ignore it and drag yourself to work day after day.

But here are 4 steps to take back control of your life. Here are a few suggestions:

Wake up 'Take an objective look at what's happening around you. Without a look at your reality, you can't make the necessary changes.

Trying to survive a difficult situation often creates an automatic deadening of negative feelings. You bury your emotions because if you allowed them to surface, you'd have to face what really is going on around you.

Soon, you begin to bury not only the negative feelings, but the positive feelings of joy and happinessyou are surviving day by day, but you are numb. As Dr Phil would say, you can't change what you don't acknowledgeso becoming aware of your surroundings is an important step.

Clean up--your thoughts, that is. It's easy to get caught up in moaning and groaning about your job, your manager and the company. Negative thinking becomes a habit and quickly brings you down. Find an excuse to walk away from the individuals who never seem to have anything positive to say. Start a gratitude journal of the positive things you like about your job and your lifethen focus on those things.

Jump up - Are you using your talents and skills? When was the last time you did something you loved to do? Be creative--find a way to incorporate those talents in your every day lifeeither at work or at home. Add more joy into your life.

Step up-- Identify what you want next in your life. Then start taking small steps toward those goals. Once you make a plan and truly commit, you will immediately experience an increased sense of power.

Don't give up hope. Get back in the driver's seat of your car. Discover what you can change and start today.

by: Jane Falter

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