From Powerless to Purposeful: Handling Workplace Stress
A month ago, my manager shared a proposed organizational change that would leave me supporting an entire business area on my own. For years, that responsibility has been shared across a team that decreased last year from a team of five then this year to a team of three. Soon, it will just be me.
Even before the official organizational change takes place, the transition has already begun. I've spent time wondering how all of this is supposed to work. I've voiced my concerns with my manager and the senior leader I support. I shared what I believe the risks are, not just for me, but for the business. The decisions remain the same.
There was a time that realization would have consumed my thoughts and overwhelmed my emotions. I would have replayed every conversation, worried about every possible outcome, and carried the weight of problems that weren't mine to solve. I would have mistaken responsibility for ownership, but now I’m moving different.
Not Everything Is Mine to Carry
One of the greatest lessons I've learned over the past year is that acknowledging reality isn't the same as accepting defeat. I don't have to pretend I'm okay with every decision or convince myself that everything happens for a reason. I can simply acknowledge the situation for what it is and determine how I’m going to handle it without ruminating or spiraling.
Focusing on My Span of Control
Instead of spending my energy fighting decisions I don’t agree with, I've started investing that energy into decisions I can make. For the last few weeks, I've been intentionally tracking my work and paying close attention to something deeper. Specifically, I’ve been reflecting and comparing which responsibilities give me energy versus which ones are draining and then grading on my professional skill level. I took that list of responsibilities and made a matrix to map out the items so I could visually see where and how I should spend my time.
Career path tool
This simple exercise has become one of the most valuable career tools I've ever used. It's helping me understand not just what I'm good at, but where I do my best work. That information is powerful because it’s helping me make intentional career decisions instead of reactive ones.
Preparing Instead of Panicking
I'm also doing something else that feels very different from previous versions of myself: Preparing.
I've started pursuing certifications through my company's learning resources that align with the work I genuinely enjoy, updated my resume and have been looking for and applying to opportunities that better fit the direction I want my career to take.
While I'm still in my current role, I'm doing everything I can to make this transition successful for myself, my teammates, and the partners I support. I'm not waiting for permission to own my future.
Feeling Powerful Instead of Powerless
With so much change happening in my life, I often encounter (very) frustrating days. On those days, I vent to coworkers and friends and allow myself to feel frustrated and upset. I refuse to let my work environment dictate my emotional well-being. So instead of sinking and being overwhelmed I'm no longer measuring my peace by whether everyone else makes decisions I agree with.
The Real Career Growth
Sometimes career growth isn't a promotion or a new title; it's learning that your greatest professional strength isn't your expertise. It's your ability to remain grounded when everything around is changing. My healing journey is teaching me that resilience doesn't mean tolerating unhealthy situations forever. Instead, for me, it means responding with intention instead of fear. Whether I’m in my same role in six months from now, or land somewhere new, I know that no organizational chart has the power to define my value and no leadership decision gets to determine my future.
