Hang on for the ride!

Photo: Mary R. Vogt

Researchers have found that people who approach stress-filled workplace experiences with a specific mind-set can weather difficult times with improved performance and happiness and even greater enthusiasm for their jobs!

In the early 1980s, a 12-year study by psychologist Salvatore R. Maddi and others at the University of Chigago was already in progress and included workers at Illinois Bell Telephone (IBT). In 1981, IBT downsized from 26,000 employees to a little more than half that number in one year. Not surprisingly, two thirds of the workers experienced negative consequences such as “heart attacks, strokes, obesity, depression, substance abuse and poor performance reviews.”

Interestingly, the other one third did not experience negative consequences and according to Maddi and his team, even seemed to feel “renewed enthusiasm.” The researchers found that workers who thrived during this stressful experience were people who held three significant approaches to life that helped them “turn adversity into an advantage.” They all had attitudes that could be described as: commitment, control or challenge.

Commitment meant that these workers made every effort to remain involved in events, thus avoiding isolation. Control is the descriptor researchers used to describe an on-going effort to influence decisions and events. By continuing to be involved and trying to ensure some control over final decisions, these workers maintained a sense of power.

The third “C”–challenge–refers to interpreting stressful changes as an opportunity to learn. By incorporating new understanding gained from positive and negative experiences, the more resilient IBT employees were able to move on with increased knowledge and wisdom.

One or more of the three Cs, commitment, control, and challenge, can offer a life raft in the midst of chaos. They are outstanding change-ability tips because they are so powerful … and entirely within our control. We’ll see more of the three Cs appearing in various forms in future change-ability tips.

For more about this research, read: Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Hardiness Helps People Turn Stressful Circumstances into Opportunities at the APA Online website.

I’m feeling optimistic about blogging–inspired by Mike Bogle’s “10-minute-post” concept, by the wonderfully reflective and timely knowledge nuggets at health information specialist Mary Doug Wright’s blog, Meldinme, and by the short and insightful posts from Seth Godin. My plan is to commit to trying the 10-minute-post idea and to offer regularly occurring stories and insights (yes, I’m sure I have regularly occurring insights). Perhaps this year’s “futurestory word” will be “completion.” Stay tuned!

On the topic of stories, insights, and commitment, I highly recommend a short animated video called The 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding from Michael Bungay Stanier at Box of Crayons in Toronto. It is, as they say, awesome! A wonderful nudge to begin a new year with more self-awareness, commitment, and gratitude.

OK … ready, set …