My husband.

Sue

Everything. I have bad anxiety even though I have a very stress-free life. I have panic attacks regularly. I had a job interview Monday and I was a wreck.

I think you will do well on the test! Good luck.

Ha.. I hear you. I suffer from anxiety all the time although i keep it well hidden. Lots of unknowns out there and I worry about things I cannot control. I deal with my anxiety by taking a bit of time outs and doing hobbies or chores. Helps to alleviate what is puzzling me for that moment.

The inconsistency of income generation when one is self-employed. But not that much, as I do have retirement income (limited) coming in to fall back on.

My take on the test is that if you know the material necessary to the job well, then you will do well on the test. I seriously doubt they will be asking questions that have no connection to the job. If it is the concept of testing that stresses you out, look at it as more of a questionnaire than a test. You'll do fine.

My Mom was a worrier. She worried about everything. I couldn't live like that. I really don't have much to worry about in my life but when something does happen like when my sister died suddenly as we were laughing or if one of my pets get hurt or sick I am a wreck. Good thing I never had children.

Also keep in mind that the test is only a part of it. Your experience is more valuable to them, I'm sure. So even if you don't do well, it doesn't mean you're out of the running.

It is understandably stressful that this test could mean your job. So, accept the stress but don't let it consume you.

Next though give yourself permission to move on. Take a deep breath and imagine yourself taking the test calmly and doing well!

I agree with Gardengal. This test will be things that you know and have been doing as part of your job for years.

Good luck.

I stress over my DD's and they are 28 and 30!

Elmer it is definitely a lack of confidence on my part. The job I do is very stressful, hiring and setting up training for over 700 workers in a few short weeks but I do it well and have done it for many elections.

I am like you regarding tests, always fearing that I'll do badly. Like others have said, you know your job, you will do fine. I am sure you'll feel much better once it's over!

I stress when I have absolutely no control whatsoever. None. If I have one bit of control, or some action I can take (besides adjusting my attitude), then I am good to go. I could not control how my son drove or how others around him drove, while in bad weather conditions. It's not that I didn't trust him, them, or for things to go well, I mostly did, but when it's so many factors all at once, I go bonkers. Now that he's improved at driving, it's better. Also, watching him progress at a normal pace on GPS helped me get through it. This is one example. I can't control how much my property taxes will go up is another, or how long my boss will keep working or how long my mom will live... those things stress me to no end.

Best definition of stress I've ever seen is the perception that you have insufficient resources to deal with the perceived demands of the situation. What I like about it is it factors your perceptions into both sides of the equation. You perceive you have insufficient resources when in fact you most likely do to pass the test. And you perceive that test will be much tougher than you anticipate when in fact it probably won't be. So altering your perceptions will alter your stress level.

Having cancer has taught me so much about stress. First, worry will not help any situation. In your case cherryfizz, it is very likely that you know all the material that will be covered by the "test", so you don't have to worry about learning the materials. I've learned to simply look only at the day I'm living. I can't change anything that happened yesterday and I can't deal with anything that may happen tomorrow, as it isn't here yet. Focus on the moment.

Don't get your shirt-tail all tied into a knot, cherry ...

... you'll go through it with flying colours.

As you said - you've done a lot of training, quickly, to a variety of people.

(Censor doesn't like the 'colour" of my talk/presentation. it seems).

ole joyfella

I'm so sorry it's making you anxious, cherry...I hope you'll be able to distract yourself enough so that you don't get sick over it. It sounds as if you know deep down that you'll get through it well.

I don't understand those who are able to not worry. I'm frankly envious. I've never had the ability to talk myself into anything contrary to what I feel. It just happens.

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Occasionally, it's a reaction to something, but a lot of the time it's not related to any particular thing I can isolate...it sucks...the rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, adrenaline rush...ugh.

There are exercises to help you cope. One that has been particularly useful for me is to write a letter to myself explaining the reasons why I will succeed or overcome the situation that is producing angst. It doesn't have to be a mile long, but the more thoughtful the letter, the more effective. IME, it is as if writing the positive thoughts get etched in my brain, and then I'm calm. It works wonders, I recommend it.

I have friends and family who suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. I can't imagine. I was once out with a friend for dinner. Just as her meal came she ran out of the restaurant and drove away leaving me sitting there because she had a panic attack and had to get away. Writing this post and reading the responses has lessened my stress. Thank youi

My grandma was a "worry wort." I am too. I can tell when I'm stressing because my jaw hurts (clenched teeth). Currently I'm stressing about a proposed remodeling -- husband wants to get rid of the jalousie windows on the front porch, I want to keep them. They are old-fashioned but so functional -- great ventilation without worrying about rain getting in.

Bossyvossy, I like the idea of writing/etching positive thoughts in my brain. In this case, sketch of how nice the house could look, should help.

Pennydesign, I've had a few of those attacks, out of the blue ... frightening in and of itself. Deep breathes helped.

Then there's the Little Book of Calm approach: Little Book of Calm

Elmer, is this getting to be a habit? You and me agreeing? Yikes! Anything is possible!

But you're right on about how to gain confidence, which often reduces anxiety. BIG article in the NYTImes today about therapy that is designed to ADD stress to ones life in order to discover that one CAN deal with this. Then, with more confidence, anxiety is greatly reduced.

somehow I got past the stress and worry, while I was married to a police man. I put in my mind, he is at his desk at work. Yes, his desk was actually a patrol car..... but if I pictured it as a desk, it worked.

Right now, I have a daughter that is about to quit her job. She only has 3 month worth of living expenses in savings. A first thought is YIKES! But really, every time she screwed up she landed on her feet again. She is 42. I left her house earlier, with the thought, well, it is up to her now. Either she swims, or sinks. I can't change her mind about what she is going to do.

So be it.

I went home, made dinner, and here I am. It will be fine. Her dad and her sister don't know, and I am not going to stress or worry about it.. cause she will land on her feet.

Her life, her choice.

Cherri, you will do fine. I just know it. Be positive. We are. :)

Moni

I hate tests, I do badly at tests haha especially these kinds of tests.
Now I am starting to stress out. I am good at my job, but I fail this
test I may not get that job.

Cherry - My suggestion is to replace your negative thoughts with positive thoughts. You are capable! You can do this! You will do your best! You will pass this test! Believe in yourself!

Anglo- that was a great piece in the NYT. I find it disconcerting how everything is becoming a medical problem in our society- especially where children are concerned. Anxiety is a signal that you need to address something- now address that, don't go around handicapping yourself.

Cherry, I am sure you will do brilliantly on the test. You have the experience and you are preparing yourself. One tip I was given long ago for overcoming a difficult, anxiety inducing situation (once you have prepared as well as you can,) is to envision yourself starting out and doing fine as you are about to take your seat and start the task. It's also important to acknowledge your discomfort- that helps the emotion not get bigger in order to get your attention.

"Elmer, is this getting to be a habit? You and me agreeing? Yikes! "

Take any two people. I think it would be rare if they always either agree or disagree. That's why it's important to listen to all opinions, especially those you may think you disagree with, because a well explained opinion (not one that's simply a playback of a superficial soundbyte) always presents an opportunity to learn or to just better understand.

Whether it's right or wrong, I have the same view about those lacking confidence as I have about those who suffer from stress, and I think the treatment is similar.

I hadn't seen the NYT article before just glancing through it. With this soft stuff, the right analysis is the one that helps people perform better with life's challenges and feel more comfortable doing so. I'm not always at the top of my game in dealing with such stuff but I learned to be confident and how to comfortably deal with/minimize stress very long ago, early in my career.

I do okay on tests. I HATE interviews though. I think a lot of common job interview questions are either irrelevant or trick questions. Every job interview I had has caused me probably excessive amounts of stress,before,during and after. Im good at hiding it though,for the most part. I did roll my eyes once,I really couldn't help it,the guy doing my interview was an arrogant,condescending pig.

I also stress about SO. He's hardheaded,won't stop smoking,won't go to a doctor or dentist, and has never been an "eater." He literally doesnt care about food and will go a day or more without eating unless I am there to shove it in front of him,and I worry about his health.

I don't stress about much. Sometimes I think I lack adrenaline. I had a new vet come to see Val and I worried about that but I like her so much and she was so thorough that I look forward to talking to her again. I hope Val is better. I am also changing farriers.

The things that stress me are silly little things. Like, if I have to make a phone call....I don't want to talk on the phone.

I used to smoke marijuana years ago. I grew my own because I wanted it to be organic. I quit smoking because it got to the point that all it did was make me think about all the bad things that could happen in my life and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle them. I guess I burned sufficient brain cells that now I don't worry about much of anything any more.

I have a great deal of stress. Life has been hard with DH and my now mostly managed illnesses and our son's ongoing illness. Our finances are still a mess but we're working hard our way out of the mess. Plus we both turned 60. So feel an urgency to find a better way for our son before it's too late. Insert primal scream. Lots to deal with. We're dealing.

Good luck with your test. I'm sure you'll do fine. :)

(This TED talk says attitude is helpful when stressed

Make stress your friend

Saw this ad and thought of amylou and her SO. It got quite a few men to quit smoking apparently.
smoking and one consequence)

Fear of the unknown. Life is so random.

I stress about flying. Not that the plane will crash, etc. but I get motion sickness easily. And flying does it every time. Pills don't work. I want to take a cruise so bad, but afraid I would be sick the whole time. I used to ride the merry go round as a child at my parents insistence and wonder why kids liked it. I didn't have the skills then to tell them it made me dizzy.

Also going to the dentist freaks me out. I have graduated from needing nitrous oxide for cleaning to just needing it for fillings. Jeez!

My tenants stress me out. :0) I have one that flushes disinfectant wipes & tampons, then wants ME to pay for the sewer clean out, every 3 months when it backs up. I have another kido with an arrogant attitude, does not work, lives off his girlfriend that wanted me to come rearrange his freezer, so the door would close and dug up my day lily flower bed & threw them away. Says he doesn't like day lilies & he's treating MY house as if it's HIS own.

Yeah....I watched the Ted video yeonassky posted. Good advice, I already see this, have noted this. I'd like to see a Ted video on meditation to get rid of stress altogether. Seriously...I'll look for one. :0)

Definitely acknowledge the anxiety which may be a fear of failure. Banish the defeating negative thoughts. Prepare well in advance. With your experience, you can do this.

Oh yes, I'm pretty familiar with stress, lol.

Click HERE to find out why.

So very sorry to hear that rhizo. I do get turned around easily but can't imagine what it's like when nothing is familiar. Do you use ornaments to navigate your house?

This ted talk is about a woman who changed her brain but I have no idea if it would work for you.

Woman changed her brain