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Agree? Disagree? Stop sounding off to your computer screen! Instead,
share your point of view on this subject with our readers.
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Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, many Americans considered how life had changed. Fear, sadness, anxiety, and anger crystalized and overlapped in ways that were different from what many had experienced before. Others pondered a national loss of innocence about our country's ability to insulate itself from terror that has become all too common in the rest of the world.
If there was anything positive to be taken from the horror, it was a sense of patriotism and shared national purpose reminiscent of the World War II era. Some people gave blood--a real and symbolic act--and volunteered, and there were reports that people, especially those near the scene of the catastrophe, were remarkably civil, cooperative, and kind.
For many people who were not directly affected, though, the most tangible emotional aftershock was a sense that their work had lost its meaning. "I have a deadline and I can't bring myself to care," one woman lamented on a listserv. "What difference does it make if I get this done or not?"
That response to the crisis, psychologists and human resource managers say, is fairly typical. "What we're seeing is people having trouble concentrating," says Jerry Lublin, Ph.D., a psychologist at Park East Psychological Associates in Manhattan. "Their sense of purpose is being brought into question. If you're selling stocks, you might say, 'People have died, so what's the point of this, anyhow? This is silly, it's meaningless.'"
Of course, though the magnitude of the September 11 catastrophe brought layers of shared feeling into the open, it also highlighted what a lot of individuals feel on a regular basis--a battle to find meaning in their work through all myriad distractions and stresses that undermine their time and concentration.
Non-work-related stress
Often the hardest part of work isn't the actual work itself but other things that encroach from outside. There are the big and obvious distractions like sickness, divorce, serious financial problems, and death--or even good distractions, like births and weddings, and planning for vacations. More insidious are the daily, ongoing things: getting the kids to school and extramurals, keeping house, dealing with the bureaucracy of appointments and bills, and just trying to keep up--all the necessary stuff which consumes so much of life but is such an inadequate measure of it, and which too often siphons off energy for even the work we want to do and believe in, or which locks us into an unwanted routine.
And then, of course, came the events that stunned and stilled almost everyone.
"If you think about the two different types of pressure right now--a collective national emergency and the personal issues--they're versions of the same kind of phenomenon," says Kathryn Cramer, Ph.D., author of When Faster, Harder, Smarter Is Not Enough: Six Steps for Achieving What You Want in a Rapid-fire World (McGraw-Hill, 2001). "When we get blind-sided, we naturally take stock, and a lot of people feel an uncomfortable sense of 'Is my life worth it? Have I made the right choices? When I wake up in the morning, am I looking forward to my work?'"
Cramer, though, sees the questions as a potential opening for change. "It's a taking stock and re-ordering of your priorities," she says. "The most resilient people use these questions to transform threatening feelings into challenges. You don't want to miss the opportunity to get more in touch with your values, your relationships, and how you spend your time."
Healthy responses
There are two dimensions to getting through a crisis, whether "getting through" means getting back to square one after a tragedy like this one or finding your way to making fundamental, long-term changes.
"There's no magic formula," says Nick Hall, director of the Wellness Center at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla. "It's just a fact that people just can't bring themselves to do what they have to do, especially if they're under stress. The solution depends on what's causing someone to feel [apathetic]."
Hall, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience, points out that people have three responses to stress: withdrawal (holing up), action (fight or flight), and higher processing (making reasoned choices). By themselves, all three can be healthy responses so long as they match the circumstances. If you're emotionally depleted, for instance, withdrawing is fine.
(Indeed, in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophe, people who remained motivated and "on task" seemed callous. There were reports of one public relations worker in New York who was fired because she continued her job of pitching story ideas that weren't related to the crisis to journalists.)
"A lot of inertia is a perfectly normal biological response," Hall says. "Sometimes the [appropriate] thing is not to fight it but to take a vacation."
That's often not an option to take at will, of course, but experts who deal with motivation issues also offer concrete advice. They say these can work whether you're experiencing acute stress, such as has been common since September 11, or a more common, long-term problem like a divorce or family-related issue. And though it may be fairly easy to categorize responses to stress, the way stress affects people varies greatly from person to person. In broad terms, though, experts offer basic advice:
- Honor and express feelings. Psychologists advise letting yourself experience your emotions and not pushing them aside. When people talk about their concerns, they can free themselves. When they can't talk, they tend to feel haunted. "Find a person you can let your guard down with," says Lubin, the psychologist. "Being gregarious by nature, people need to be around other people."
- Set aside a time and place. It may not be appropriate to discuss a problem at work, and discussing things can be a distraction unto itself, especially if a task is waiting to get done. If you know when, where, and to whom you can talk, you can set it aside for later. If a particular distraction is overwhelming, sometimes it's worth giving it a limited amount of direct attention right away.
- Create your own rewards and incentives. For some people, the incentive may be as abstract as the knowledge of the relief they'll feel when they get past a project.
- Volunteer. In an immediate crisis such as we just experienced, giving blood or donating money or time to a cause is one way to feel a sense of community.
- Make a plan for change by confronting the hard questions and asking yourself what you can do about them.
- Keep perspective. Hall suggests a verbal exercise. Instead of concentrating on what you are not or don't have (i.e. "I wish I were/had X"), you say, "I'm glad I'm not X."
Sometimes it helps to consider that all people at one time or another go through personal crises. Some are more understanding than others, but most can relate at some level.
"The rest of the world is more forgiving and accommodating than we tend to think it is," says Cramer. Todd Pitock is a frequent contributor to Jugglezine.
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Reactions to "Getting Through the Darkest Day(s)"
As I watched what I thought of as "my plane" hit the WTC (it was United's), I had no way of knowing the ramifications that would affect all of us. When they said we could go home, I knew I needed to go home and "process" as the events unfolded. I have been a victim of PTSD before and this has only thrown me back into it. It's getting better each day. I can almost sing the patriotic songs without crying now. I don't sit and cry at work anymore. It put everything much more into perspective. It took weeks before I could proceed with my job because our industry was used as a weapon and everything had to change. I don't let work define me anymore. I might not have a job tomorrow and then who would I be? I use the good silverware everyday now. It may not matter tomorrow. I want to connect more with people, neighbors than I ever have before. The lesson learned was we can conquer anything, anyone if we are united but there has to be a connection first, and that was Sep 11.
Lin Livingston
Adm Staff, American Airlines
Thank you for the story. It is refreshing to know that each of us goes through the range of emotions that you have described. I found myself asking many of the same questions that you outlined, in regard to self examination and the real reasons to do the things that I do on a daily basis. After all of those things ran through my mind, there was one thing that stood out clear, 2Timothy 1:7 says "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.". As the enemy has sought to use the events of September 11th to instill fear in our nation, I am determined to walk in power, love and a sound mind. If each of us recognize where our strength comes from, and accepts it as not being of our own, we will endure to the end.
Dennis Kirksey
Vice President, Kirksey & Associates Inc.
as i read the article and the responses, i know the thoughts i am having are not just my own. i realize that we alll are looking at what is important and what really matters in times like these. it is family and friends for me.
i got on a plane last week and will do so again this week. my husband is questioning why. i know that getting back to normal and not letting "them" take away my freedom and security is important to me. i will go on and do the best i can...that having the opportunity to see other family members while on business is a great and cherished thing, i do so with joy.
Florence Haridan
Creative Director - Ebusiness, Citibank
If there can be any good derived from the WTC tragedy, it seems that we are a more compassionate society. It's a shame that it requires an event like that to change people for the better. I, like many people, have had things that affected my work performance and it actually cost me a lot of money before the holidays last year. What upset me the most was the lack of understanding from the company I was working for and the lack of caring they displaced on me and several co-workers when they were making changes to the corporate infrastructure. None of that has mattered since I and many others have left there but they did an obvious PR campaign when the tragedy hit and it is so obvious they are using the opportunity to look good to the business community and that's what troubles me. All of a sudden they care? Where was that compassion when I, a five year dedicated employee, needed help and understanding? I battled through my first son's ASD at the same time having some of the highest productivity in my department and when my younger son was diagnosed with a glioma, the only caring I received was from long time friends and co-workers who really cared. I only hope that the lesson the company learned wasn't in positive PR, but that people have things in everyday life that affect them, not just a national tragedy.
Steve Kalata
As I sit here staring at my computer on a Monday morning, I feel an overwhelming sense of meaningless hanging over me like a cloud. I put one foot in front of the other; try to continue making decisions that are in the best interest of my business, which supports my family. It is hard for me to plan ahead, toanticipate, to develop new product, make plans to attend next Spring's trade shows in Manhattan. Articles like Todd's are helpful; to know that so many others are sitting and staring at their computers. I'm glad I looked up Jugglezine - something good to stare at.
Patti Edmon
owner, EdmonDesign
Returning to my workstation after having watched the Trade Towers fall on the tiny TV in our office, I stared at my monitor, feeling like what I do for a living is so meaningless. But, within a few moments, I realized that what I do is bring a little comfort, safety and beauty to my small corner of the world. However, I still couldn't focus on the task, and our senior partner announced that anyone who felt they needed to, could leave. In the days afterward, I did what I could in terms of donations, which helped me feel a little better.
I am surprised at how long and how deeply this has affected me, even though I still have not found a single soul I know who was killed or injured. As I commented to a colleage, it just doesn't matter whether you're personally acquainted with them.
Compounding the problem is a work load which is completely unrealistic even for two people, and strife between my husband and our teenage son. I've been having really bad days when I feel like I have nowhere to run.
Only just this past weekend did I find something to latch on to. First, I took Friday off because I knew that the stress and exhaustion had become overwhelming. Then I remembered what gives me the greatest joy...a long drive through the mountains in the glorious fall color, puttering around my home...taking care of the little things and dreaming up plans for improvements in the future. I realized that I have to get back to basics and take care of myself before I can take care of anyone else.
Diane Brandli, ASID
Senior Interior Designer, Ashley McGraw Architects
I am an active volunteer for our local American Red Cross Chapter. So, I know what is going on. It has been devastating, and rewarding. I volunteer for purely selfish reasons; It makes me feel good. That is the only reason I do what I do. I do it because it makes me a better person. And, it also makes me realize that it could so be me and not them.
Spring McPherson
Recycler, Herman Miller
I survived severe psychological abuse and the depression and Post-traumatic stress disorder it caused. The thing that kept me from withdrawing or committing suicide and got me back into a productive life was one simple sentence. It is a little coarse but for me, effective. "Don't let the bastards win." I could not let them win by my taking my life of letting what happened paralyse and prevent me from regaining the life I once had. I have fought very hard to recapture the dreams I once had. I found your website because we are studying "Leadership is an Art" in my Organizational behavior class.
Thanks,
Becky
Rebecca Dekker
Well, I have a hard time with my work--it does seem meaningless and has for some time. Right before Sept. 11, I signed up for a comedy improv class, and since Sept. 11, I have thrown myself into it. It's not like I'm going to quit my job and go on the road (I have a husband and three little kids), but I am definitely taking stock. The feeling I have is that time is running out, or I could be called "out" at any moment, and I better get going leaving my small little mark on the world, whatever that is.
Mary Wiggins
It's not often you see an article about how to manage outside stress during work hours. A perfect story for these trying times.
Michele Chartier
designer, BBK Studio
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