05 July,2021 06:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita Paul
Naomi Osaka was fined for refusing to participate in post-match press conferences. Pic/Getty Images
At 22, Naomi Osaka has won a Grand Slam title every year since 2018, made headlines for her stance on socio-political issues and is one of the world's most marketable athletes. She's also been vocal about her struggles with anxiety and depression, with things coming to a head when she withdrew from the French Open after skipping a post-match press conference citing her mental health. Reactions to Osaka's stance have been mixed - while many have expressed support, others such as tennis pro Boris Becker have lashed out, saying that she has to deal with what's part of the job. Regardless of your field, mental health remains a pertinent concern, with one out of every three Indian employees experiencing burnout. However, does focusing on mental health mean that you, like Osaka, have to forsake your aspirations? Those working in high-pressure jobs tell us what it takes.
Whether as an actor, producer or even as the scheduler for a film festival, creative differences are a part of scheduler Momita Jaisi's daily reality. "There are several commercials, for example, where I do not agree with the messaging or, sometimes, even the product. However, I must decide whether digging my heels in will change the status-quo in any way. These fields are very competitive, and you can be easily replaced. You must consider which battles are worth fighting and which you can let slide," she shares. Jaisi also recounts another instance where she was eager to introduce certain changes to the way things were done. "My superiors said we didn't have enough time, but I took it on as a challenge and worked overtime to bring my vision to life. It worked - people took notice and my work was praised," she says.
"I've found that most of the stress comes from other people. You're always either in a team or a part of your team. You also have to manage the expectations of multiple stakeholders and it isn't realistic to expect to please everyone. However, cultivate relationships with those you work with so that they are more sympathetic to your views and limitations," says Devesh Arora. At the same time, understand what your job entails before you get into the field. "For instance, while trading means I earn more than my counterparts, they also have less hectic roles. I work for up to 17 hours on certain days. There's always a trade-off. You must prioritise and act accordingly," he points out.
"When we decided to convert the NSCI dome in Worli into an isolation centre to, eventually, a hospital, my team and I were working under tremendous pressure and were under constant scrutiny. I realised that we would have to soldier on, regardless of what people said. Even a single life saved is always worth the effort. I told my team they had free rein. If anyone questioned them, they could blame me. To keep them motivated, I ensured that all the bouquets were handed to them, while I received any brickbats," shares Dr Muffazal Lakdawala. To decompress, he makes sure to spend quality time with his family, play cricket and listen to music. "You have to learn when to back down and let things go," he concludes.
As a young cricketer, Kiran Powar struggled with anxiety. "I would constantly worry about factors that had nothing to do with me, or my ability to play the sport. Eventually, I decided to seek help from a mental health coach. The most important lesson I learned from him was to control the controllable. There's no point worrying about external factors such as the pitch or conditions, for instance. And sometimes, when we find ourselves in the eye of the storm, it's easy to lose sight of that. Mental coaching taught me to tune out the discouraging thoughts and look for the silver lining, no matter how slim. I also began to apply the lessons learned from every failure to strengthen future performances," he says.
Seek professional help if you experience the following symptoms, says life coach Nidhika Bahl.
>> A negative and critical attitude at work
>> Frequent absenteeism
>> Feeling of emptiness
>> Physical complaints such as headaches or malaise
>> Easily irritated by team members or clients
>> Feeling that your work is unrecognised and blaming others for your mistakes
