Stress Management in the IT Industry: Five Steps to a Stress-Free Life

It would be easy to think, as most people apparently do, that stress and the computer industry (and especially programming) were not bedfellows. The usual image of long-haired, geeky young programmers churning out software in their teenage bedrooms is one that many still associate with mainstream programmers. Stereotyped or not, this image is still commonly held, and the armies of stressed-out, overworked, and deadline-challenged programmers in the real world are all but forgotten in the tumult that is the result of the technological age.

Stress is rampant within the computer industry, perhaps even endemic. From assembly line manufacturers always looking to increase throughput to scrubbers whose time requirements were not on the original production schedule, the pressure on those working in the industry is at an all-time high and will only increase as the margins fall and higher efficiencies are required.

Even entering the industry can be stressful: Like private companies, many educational institutions are now usurping control of the code written on their campuses through “ownership” clauses that leave the creators of the innovative code with nothing to show for it. for your efforts. Having something to show for it in the interview is becoming more and more difficult not only for existing programmers, but also for the “new wave” that has just emerged from colleges and universities with excellent grades, but nothing they “possess” to prove it.

Once the elusive job arrives, things rarely get better. Our “immediate” society is the result of the computer age and the effortless delivery of products and services via the Internet. How many programmers have been challenged to meet impossible deadlines with the threat that the next job will go to cheaper labor abroad who can do it in half the time? This leads to more work hours, less rest, burnout, mistakes, and then the cycle starts all over again. Is that really what we expected when we entered the industry? So how can you reduce the stress placed on you by this relentless march of “progress”?

First of all, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound (or should it be a ton?) of cure. By making sure your contracts are fair and considerate of both parties, you could eliminate a lot of stress down the line. Here are five easy steps to help prevent stress on your next contract:

1. Be honest

If a deadline is too short, say so. If it seems short now, it will only seem much shorter later.

2. Be realistic

When evaluating the requirements of a job, make sure you have some leeway. Nine times out of ten, you’ll need (or at least appreciate!)

3. Be certain

Check your data, figures, requirements and times. If you’ve made a mistake, you want to find out now, not later, when what you quoted will be called upon.

4. Be flexible

It helps to have an ace up your sleeve. If things really go wrong, where can you get additional help? Create contingency arrangements with others in your field and help each other out when they need it.

5.Care

Stress invades you unexpectedly. Run routine checks against your plan and make sure it’s still on track. If not, DO something about it and always, ALWAYS tell the customer.