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How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

theguardian.com

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Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#11

Post by commander_ahab »

gaius wrote: post #3

Saturation diver: risk of death A&E doctor: risk of someone else's death TV booker: risk of a guest not showing up Doesn't really compare, does it?

A stock broker may feel as much anxiety from a poor trade as an astronaut may feel about a slightly anomalous course correction.

The brain adapts to different risk levels, but that doesn't mean that the fear experienced can be objectively ranked.

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#12

Post by summerdown2 »

nnq wrote: post #7
gaius wrote: post #3

Saturation diver: risk of death A&E doctor: risk of someone else's death TV booker: risk of a guest not showing up Doesn't really compare, does it?

It does compare. People have a MIN and a MAX level of stress, and unfortunately they usually calibrate these to the most stressful situation they usually encounter : the TV booker will feel the same level of stress when a guest is not showing up that the diver feels when he knows something went wrong and he's probably going to die. The key is realizing that unfortunately this is your natural tendency, to set you MAX…

This is excellent advice, and quite ancient, too. I first read of the approach in a guide to Stoic Philosophy, and have been attempting it ever since, with good results :)

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Good-Life-Ancient-Stoic/dp/01953...

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#14

Post by Einstalbert »

visakanv wrote: post #2

TL;DR: Football manager: Be careful about your information diet. Stop bringing everything home. And... alcohol? =\ Headteacher: Policy of being calm and non-confrontational. (But how?) Runs, which is therapeutic. Spends 5 minutes reflecting every day. Concilator (?): Represent the best side of both sides of the conflict. Seek common ground. If there's anger in the room, it's not me: "people are angry because they're…

Ah yes, the Diver philosophy. Let me get right on that. Anyone else want to work a fourth of the year?

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#15

Post by Bulkington »

nnq wrote: post #7
gaius wrote: post #3

Saturation diver: risk of death A&E doctor: risk of someone else's death TV booker: risk of a guest not showing up Doesn't really compare, does it?

It does compare. People have a MIN and a MAX level of stress, and unfortunately they usually calibrate these to the most stressful situation they usually encounter : the TV booker will feel the same level of stress when a guest is not showing up that the diver feels when he knows something went wrong and he's probably going to die. The key is realizing that unfortunately this is your natural tendency, to set you MAX…

From the wikipedia entry on The Myth of Sisyphus:

Does the realization of the absurd require suicide? Camus answers: "No. It requires revolt." He then outlines several approaches to the absurd life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#18

Post by nickthemagicman »

papaf wrote: post #9

A short 7 minute documentary that shows saturation diving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcSduoKj6KU

It looks a lot like being an astronaut, except instead of PhDs from MIT running the show, you have Bob from South Philly whose favorite food is a cheeseburger with donuts for a bun.

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#19

Post by icantthinkofone »

I own some fast food restaurants and, for a short time, managed them directly, hands-on. During rushes, especially when shorthanded, you feel you are being crushed by disappointed customers filing in the door, and there's nothing you can do to make things better at that moment. When I realized that, I also found my answer. I can't make things better so I will only concentrate on what is in front of me and do the best I can; and the rush will end soon.

Everything I do, I do with personal pride, so when things go bad, it hits home. I also realized that most things aren't running as bad as you think they are cause you know how things are supposed to work but your customer only sees the result of your efforts.

When doing rote things under pressure, it helps to hum random notes.

Re: How I stay calm, by people with very stressful jobs

#20

Post by joezydeco »

Einstalbert wrote: post #14
visakanv wrote: post #2

TL;DR: Football manager: Be careful about your information diet. Stop bringing everything home. And... alcohol? =\ Headteacher: Policy of being calm and non-confrontational. (But how?) Runs, which is therapeutic. Spends 5 minutes reflecting every day. Concilator (?): Represent the best side of both sides of the conflict. Seek common ground. If there's anger in the room, it's not me: "people are angry because they're…

Ah yes, the Diver philosophy. Let me get right on that. Anyone else want to work a fourth of the year?

"A CDC report in 1998 estimated that the occupational fatality rate for commercial divers was forty times the national average for all workers, at an annual rate of 180 deaths per 100,000 employed divers."

Yeah, I'll keep the desk job, thanks.

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