If you’ve gotten a new job in the past few years, chances are that it was through networking. In fact, some experts say that as many as 85 percent of all jobs are filled through networking. But, knowing that there’s likely to be a good return on investment doesn’t make professional socializing any easier for the anxious.
What does? Well, this week’s roundup starts off with some practical advice from a person who’s been there. That, plus career inspiration from Stoic philosophers (yes, really) and tips on how to keep stress from ruining your health, in our post.
Ludmila Leiva at Levo League: How I Survive Networking as a Socially Anxious Person
“As a person with anxiety, the thought of networking used to fill me with dread,” Leiva writes. “Though I love meeting new people and usually have no problem engaging in one-on-one conversations, the idea of entering a room full of people and schmoozing about my accomplishments can still make me tense up.”
Leiva’s secret? These constructive, non-woo-woo mantras. (Example: “You know yourself.”)
Paul Jun at 99u: The Stoic: 9 Principles to Help You Keep Calm in Chaos
If you haven’t thought much about philosophy since you left school, now’s the time to change that — especially if you’re experiencing creative blocks in your career.
Jun explains:
Not only does philosophy teach us how to live well and become better humans, but it can also aid in overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. Some schools of thought are for more abstract thinking and debate, whereas others are tools that are immediately practical to our current endeavors.
The principles within Stoicism are, perhaps, the most relevant and practical sets of rules for entrepreneurs, writers, and artists of all kinds. The Stoics focus on two things: 1. How can we lead a fulfilling, happy life? 2. How can we become better human beings?
Stoics like Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus have much to teach us about overcoming adversity and practicing self-control — essential skills for any professional. Learn more, at Jun’s guide.
Jessica Stillman at Inc: How to Stop Stress From Ruining Your Health
In a recent TED Talk, Stanford University health psychologist Kelly McGonigal says that stress is the 15th largest cause of death in the U.S. … but that by changing our approach to stress, we can mitigate its effects.
At Inc, Jessica Stillman explains:
…what makes stress harmful isn’t the basic physical reaction that causes your heart to pound and your palms to sweat, but your belief that this is a bad feeling.
Think of those changes as a positive mechanism your body has implemented to prepare you to meet challenges and your constricted blood vessels relax, ensuring that elevated heart rate isn’t damaging. Instead, it’s roughly similar to what happens in the body when we experience joy or courage.
To learn more, and get tips for changing your body’s response to stress, check out Stillman’s post and McGonigal’s TED Talk.
Tell Us What You Think
What’s the best career advice you’ve read this week? We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.
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