July 2, 2009 at 2:20 am
Good editorial and well presented.
As well as being a DBA, I also happen to be a first aider, and one of the incidents I had to respond to a few months ago was someone who suffered a panic attack (which we, the first aiders, fortunately correctly diagnosed despite everyone else in the meeting with the casualty jumping to the heart attack assumption). Stress, when allowed to, can adversely affect anyone and the results can be dramatic, long lasting or both. And, of course, responding to someone with those symptoms can be pretty stressful too.....
One of the points in the article that rang most bells, though, was the last paragraph; the point about eccentrics having the confidence to be themselves. DBAs are often called to work outside their "comfort zone", and that calls for a confidence not in your existing bank of knowledge but of your ability to assimilate new knowledge on the fly. That's a pretty high degree of self confidence, whether you're eccentric or not, and I can't help but believe those who can become "comfortable" outside their "comfort zone" will be less susceptible to the adverse effects of stress.
Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat
July 2, 2009 at 4:53 am
majorbloodnock (7/2/2009)
I also happen to be a first aider...
Thank-you.
majorbloodnock (7/2/2009)
One of the points in the article that rang most bells, though, was the last paragraph; the point about eccentrics having the confidence to be themselves. DBAs are often called to work outside their "comfort zone", and that calls for a confidence not in your existing bank of knowledge but of your ability to assimilate new knowledge on the fly. That's a pretty high degree of self confidence, whether you're eccentric or not, and I can't help but believe those who can become "comfortable" outside their "comfort zone" will be less susceptible to the adverse effects of stress.
EXCELLENT point. Now to convince my supervisors of that...
Honor Super Omnia-
Jason Miller
July 2, 2009 at 6:37 am
I often hear people talking about how they "relieve" stress and I find this very curious because it presumes that stress is something that is required. Its not. People then often retort that if you don't have stress, you are not taking your job seriously. That's also wrong and not at all true.
In the 90's I had a personal event/crisis during which I almost lost my life. Its an amazing and wonderful thing to come that close to death. I know that sounds weird, but if you go to that edge, nothing else in life is ever the same again. The mundane things that I once took for granted are now wonderful things. The so called "stresses" of work seem silly because well, in the end, it just doesn't matter. I do an important job, but if our company vanished tomorrow, the world would not end, and if we get really big and successful - same thing - we are not saving lives, we're just (frankly) doing digital ditties that help other people do their job. But its not going to cure cancer, bring peace to the world, or feed the hungry.
I have come to learn that stress is "home grown". We build it ourselves and then let ourselves feed it, and for some it becomes overwhelming - but ultimately, the problem is "us". You CAN take your job very seriously, and you CAN do that without stress. Indeed, just ask yourself, if you were gone tomorrow, would it really be the end of the entire world? No. Not likely.
Some say that for every stressful moment we spend, we cut one moment off of our lives. Through my own personal experience, I am not willing to give up any of those moments.
So the next time you feel stress I suggest you do what I have learned to do. Ask yourself, is this thing that is causing me stress going to matter in one hour, one day, one week, one year? And are you willing to shave away moments of your life for the sake of someone else's business. When I went to that 'edge' and came back, I realized - NO - I am not willing. No one should be. Life is your family, your friends, those you love and you should never feel any shame about not 'bleeding' for your job. Do good work. Work hard. Find success - but remember - true success is NOT in your job, or money. It's in how you play your part in the lives of those you love, and those you affect as a person.
July 2, 2009 at 7:07 am
A co-worker who is also a long-time DBA on many platforms shared a 'platitude' with me the other day regarding stress that sort of echos what blandry is saying.
Look at stress like a dog would. If you can't eat it or hump it, p!$$ on it and walk away.
------------
Buy the ticket, take the ride. -- Hunter S. Thompson
July 2, 2009 at 7:12 am
Jason Miller (7/2/2009)
majorbloodnock (7/2/2009)
I also happen to be a first aider...
Thank-you.
My pleasure. Not entirely altruistic, though; I have kids and this is a way of being prepared for their emergencies whilst my company pays for the training. Everyone benefits this way.
I agree with a lot of what you say, but view it with a slightly different slant. In my opinion, stress is an unavoidable byproduct of anything happening that affects what is important to you. What's often forgotten, as you rightly point out, is that stress isn't always destructive; having each of my kids was incredibly stressful for me, but in an entirely positive way (I was keyed up for ages afterwards).
Therefore, one of the key steps is to better understand what we really believe to be important to us, and what your experience has obviously done is just that. However, many of us will still rate things on your "it's not that big a deal" list with a higher importance than you do. I, for instance, do view retaining my job as personally important simply because it's a means to feed my family, and anything affecting my job security has the capacity for raising my stress levels.
Which is why I believe reducing the number of things one sees as important is not the whole answer. One must also find a mechanism for accepting the stresses one is under, minimise their adverse effects and maximise their positive ones. How? Phil Factor's certainly touched on some, and I've suggested another, but I'm all ears for plenty more suggestions, 'cos there are definitely still times when pressure gets to me so my technique's nowhere near perfect.
Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat
July 2, 2009 at 7:48 am
Personally, I typically reduce stress with a 6 pack of really good beer and some good old Chicago Blues.
Cheers
http://twitter.com/widba
http://widba.blogspot.com/
July 2, 2009 at 8:00 am
WI-DBA (7/2/2009)
Personally, I typically reduce stress with a 6 pack of really good beer and some good old Chicago Blues.
I like that idea. I'd throw in Johnny Winter for good measure (IMHO, the best blues guitarist out of Texas, bar none.)
Throw down some Dogfish IPA (90 minute preferred), Spaten Oktoberfest, Mönchshof Schwarzbier, Arrogant Bastard, or Ruination. Perhaps a nice TTT Trinidad...
I guess that's better than taking it out on your sparing partner. (Though I cant anymore. no more jiu jitsu. )
Now I just take it out on helpless paper tigers/targets.
Honor Super Omnia-
Jason Miller
July 2, 2009 at 8:06 am
Kudos on your choice of libations.
Cheers
http://twitter.com/widba
http://widba.blogspot.com/
July 2, 2009 at 8:15 am
I appreciate what you wrote about this topic. I think stress is the reason why there are so many over weight people in IT. They eat to relieve their stress and they don't take time for themselves. I am no longer going to feel guilty about enjoying my hobbies which include running marathons, gardening and reading.
July 2, 2009 at 9:22 am
Umm... "pet sheep"?
July 2, 2009 at 9:55 am
Umm... "pet sheep"?
sure. Here they are, getting the Exceptional DBA Test from Brad McGehee.
http://www.simple-talk.com/blogbits/philf/BradAndSheepIQChallenge.jpg
here is Shoulder, the crone.
http://www.simple-talk.com/blogbits/philf/shoulder.jpg
Best wishes,
Phil Factor
July 2, 2009 at 10:37 am
Stress exists for everyone and we must learn to deal with it. I've gotten better at it, but my stress handling is still a work in progress. I counter my stress with yoga, T'ai Chi, and singing. I also love to camp and hang out with my friends. Sometimes, I even do all these things at once:-D
Stress can be a warning, however. About 3 years ago, I turned up at the doctor's office with BP of 180/120. They tested me every which way but loose and put me on all kinds of medication. Since then, I've changed jobs (this was necessary) and tried to take things more in stride. I ask myself, "What's the worst that could happen?" Most often, the worst is not so terrible.
Now, my BP is fine. I can maintain a healthy BP with only a little bit of medicine as long as I keep up with my exercise.
July 2, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Love those sheep Phil!
I learned Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to help cope with stress. It has been very useful. I also try to keep up with my hobbies: tropical fish keeping, reading, growing vegies (harvested my first broccoli last night and it was great!), photography and running. I have a 22 month old daughter who makes me smile and laugh so much which is excellent for stress. A good red wine is also of assistance!
I really understand the overeating when stressed concept. I tend to do that, so when I put on weight I know I need to look at my stress levels. I was talking to a friend at work about this just yesterday. She is experiencing a lot of stress in her job and she has put on 10kg in 6 months. We both agreed if you can't reduce job stress then it is time to get a new job.
Cheers
Nicole Bowman
Nothing is forever.
July 6, 2009 at 11:38 am
I can't say much here about my favorite way to relieve stress, except that it relieves stress for two people at the same time, and helps me get to sleep too.
Makes the stress worth it!
- Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
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