Performance Anxiety

Years ago, I worked with a man in a sales team. He boasted about the deals he made, and I was impressed. But one day I was shocked to find out he’d been dismissed. He’d been forging customer signatures on contracts making all his deals a sham! Looking back, I see he felt compelled to behave like that because he was afraid to fail. His problem was performance anxiety.

Performance and success bring status and recognition in our society. So, the need to find recognition through achievement is an issue for everyone, but particularly men. Of course, wanting to do a job well is a good thing but becomes a problem when it’s the means of finding love and acceptance. In extreme cases turning a person into a workaholic.

Did you know that research shows that faith in God is good for you? Faith can reduce the pressure to perform, bringing peace of mind and happiness. This has certainly been my experience and of other Christians I know. In fact, if it weren’t for my faith, I don’t know how I would have found the strength to go on through difficult times.

Do you know someone (or is it you?) who feels life is like being on a treadmill, thinking I must always do well and be a success?

If so, then why not find out about Jesus? Many people have a Bible in their home, but few read it. I wonder why because it is the only way to find out if what Jesus said can help you break away from bad thinking and ways of living.

God did not create us to work through our difficulties alone. Finding a practicing Christian, or a Christian counsellor (see www.acc-uk.org), you can talk things through with can make all the difference.