Working under Pressure
Posted in February 12th, 2009 by Adriana SouzaI have not written a post for the blog for a long time now — the workload is crazy and, despite my having good ideas, I simply cannot stop and write. But there has been a topic on my mind for quite a long time now: work under pressure.
When I had my first job interview for a translation agency (the now gone LMI, Language Management International), I was applying for a position of translator trainee. Then the psychologist asked me, “How do you feel about working under pressure?”
I had never worked for a company and did not have the slightest idea of what she was talking about. Yet I said it was OK, that I would be perfectly fine with the pressure. 
Overloaded? It is time to stop!
But we know that such situations can be quite frustrating, and this is why each one uses their own methods to let go of the tension. Here are some of my methods:
- As soon as I get to work, check all my deliveries for the day to make sure I will not forget anyone.
- Color flag all pending emails in Outlook, so as not to lose sight of them.
- Write down on my notepad all the tasks for the day and tick them as I get them completed;
- Give myself a break to breathe, drink some water and check out on my colleagues;
- Ask for help! Team work gives me the confidence and ease to complete tasks that seem to be too hard at first glance;
- Realize that I cannot do miracles. This is key! It is useless to commit to an impossible deadline as you will get nuts in the end! It is important to negotiate with the client a most realistic turnaround, which will eventually benefit all parties.
A few years ago, there was a professional who could come to Ccaps every week and give us tips on workplace exercises. That was quite awesome! For 15 minutes everybody stopped whatever it was that they were doing to stretch out their muscles and try to relax a little. I will have a talk with the boss to bring the stretch break back…
Let us not allow the pressure of the market to drive us crazy! A mentally healthy employee works much better.
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