HOW TO DEAL WITH THE STRESSES AND ANXIETIES OF BEING AN ENGINEER

By Stanley Popovich

Stress and anxiety are very common when your an engineer.  As a result, here is a list of techniques that an engineer can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties. 

Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. 

When facing a current or upcoming task at your engineering job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success. 

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one. 

Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.

In dealing with your anxieties at your engineering job, learn to take it one day at a time. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage.  The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice.  The more you practice, the better you will become.


BIOGRAPHY: 

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. 

The following DVD’s and VHS tapes are available from the FHEA office.

Evacuation of Health Care Facilities

(16 minutes: DVD)

Major fires in health care facilities are rare, but can be deadly. Most patients cannot leave the fire area without assistance. This hard-hitting video follows the recommendations in NFPA 99 and NFPA 101® to train your staff.

NEC Expert® Unit 1 - Grounded Systems

(Approx 55 min: DVD)

The updated Unit One of NFPA's acclaimed NEC Expert training series uses field examples, graphics and computer animations to help electrical workers visualize key NEC® requirements concerning circuit and system grounding connections. Concentrates on Article 250 and 210, including Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter protection.

NFPA 70E® Reducing Workplace Electrical Hazards

(18 min: DVD)

Teaches managers, supervisors, and workers how compliance with the 2009 NFPA 70E prevents electrical injuries and fatalities. Updated with new footage reflecting major changes in the 2009 NFPA 70E.

Today you are Health Care

(14 minutes; DVD)

Provides an overview of the issues related to health care construction. Designed to be used by facility  managers and hospital administration as part of an orientation program for construction workers.  Make sure that your vendors know what is expected of them when they work in your facility and make them feel that they are a part of your health care team.

Unannounced Surveys – Are You Ready?

(under 30 minutes; DVD)

Learn how to properly greet surveyors, tips to effectively answer surveyors’ questions, what to expect while a surveyor is observing your work, and much more.

Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems

From the NFPA; DVD

Video demonstrates correct practices and procedures. Ideal guide for developing an effective inspection and testing schedule for each component of your fire alarm system.

Infection Control During Construction

(under 30 minutes; DVD)

Introductory training and educational tool for construction crews who work in your facility. Helps contractors understand the necessary precautions they must take.

Fan System Controls

(three vhs tapes)

Covers most of all of the fan system controls explaining how they function and how to calibrate them.

Residential Gas Furnace Theory and Maintenance

(one vhs tape)

Shows an action video and 3-D graphics how a furnace operates.

Honeywell Electric Fan Systems Controls

(one vhs tape)

Theory and maintenance of fan systems and how Honeywell electric temperature controls operate with them.

To order any library material, contact our FHEA Office in Altamonte Springs (407) 332-7767.

online education/training

MGI Systems, Inc., a company that has offered healthcare facility-related educational seminars/workshops and certificate courses since 1996, has introduced their new Learning Management System (LMS), a web-based, online-managed curriculum geared toward Healthcare Engineer/Technicians in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades, as well as contractor’s technicians who perform services for the healthcare facility.

MGI's Learning Management Systems (LMS) covers:

• • Authorities Requiring Continuing Education and Training
  
• • Applicable Standards, Codes, and Regulations
  
• • Manufacturer’s Warranty, Insurance and Legal Issues
  
• • LMS Benefits and Administration
  
• • Sample Learning Module Screens
  
• • Course Library
  
  

All FHEA members are eligible for a 10% discount.