QUESTION: I've just returned from maternity leave to find projects piled high on my desk. Everyone has left for vacation, so there's no one to help me. I've been staying late every night to meet deadlines, but my pile of work doesn't seem to decrease. These are major clients, and I'm so worried that the work will not get done. I find myself experiencing more migraines than usual. Help!

        ANSWER: Worrying is one behavior shared by just about everybody. Yet we all know that worrying never landed anyone a job, got a project done or solved a personal problem. Here are some practical tips to help reduce your worries.

        Live in “day-tight compartments”: Practice focusing on today by mentally shutting out yesterday and tomorrow. Let go of yesterday's regrets, because things in the past are over and done with. Instead of fretting about the future, take care of today's business as thoroughly as possible. It's the best way you can prepare for tomorrow.

        Use the three-step formula for solving worry situations: Analyze the situation and figure out the worst-case scenario. Focus on all the “demons” you're imagining and ask yourself which could become reality.

        Prepare yourself to accept the worst possible consequence. Then resolve to find a way to live with the results.

        Concentrate on how you can improve the worst-case situation you've already accepted mentally. True peace of mind comes from accepting the worst, because the reverse of this is you have everything to gain. You'll feel new energy to help find a way to solve the problem you're facing.

        Apply the magic formula for solving problems: Follow this three-step process when you want to make a decision about a troubling problem.

        • Get all the facts. It's been said that confusion and lack of knowledge are the chief causes of worry. Ferret out all the facts so you can resolve your problem in a thoroughly informed way.

        • Analyze the facts. Be objective when reviewing them, considering the information in an unemotional manner. Try writing facts down and stating the problem clearly to help you reach the most sensible decision.

        • After weighing all the facts, make a decision and then act on it. Once you've made a careful decision, don't let self-doubt compel you to reconsider it. Act, and don't keep second-guessing yourself.

        Here is an indirect yet important benefit of applying this problem-solving approach: It keeps you mentally active as you work to analyze and resolve your difficulty. In short, if you focus on the work, you won't focus on the worry.

        Michael Crom is executive vice president of Dale Carnegie Training. For advice on work issues, visit www.dalecarnegie.com or e-mail carnegiecoach@dalecarnegie.com.

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