Do you ever suffer from Anxiety?
Its more common than you think – especially in high-pressure high-reward industries such as banking. High flyers can and do suffer from anxiety. High achievers often set high standards for themselves and are constantly pushing themselves to achieve more. This pressure can lead to anxiety and stress. Additionally, the fear of failure and the pressure to maintain their high level of success can also contribute to anxiety. It’s important for high flyers to prioritize their mental health and seek support if they are struggling with anxiety.
Here are 7 reasons why high flyers suffers from Anxiety:
1. Pressure to perform
High flyers are often expected to meet and exceed expectations, which can create pressure to constantly perform at a high level. Perhaps you’ve felt this during your annual performance appraisal – especially if a bonus or promotion is at stake. This pressure can lead to anxiety as the fear of failure and not meeting expectations can be overwhelming.
2. Work-life balance
The nature of banking, with regulatory pressures and immense competition among firms can often lead to long hours for those involved in key deals or even internal projects. As a consequence, you might find yourself struggling with maintaining a healthy work-life balance due to the demands of your career. This can lead to feelings of burnout and overwhelm, which can contribute to anxiety.
3. Imposter syndrome
Many high flyers may experience imposter syndrome, which is the feeling of not being deserving of their success or feeling like a fraud. This occurs frequently in a meritocracy where you are rewarded for your performance.
For example, you might find yourself enjoying a few years of back to back promotions and then things begin to stall (often for valid reasons). Its during this time, you might feel yourself stagnating whilst you see others leaping ahead. In spite of your achievements and considerable experience, you may lose confidence and feel that you’re “punching above your weight” – especially if key allies or people you depend upon are no longer around. This can lead to anxiety as you worry about failing and being exposed as an imposter.
4. Perfectionism
High flyers may also have a tendency towards perfectionism, which can contribute to anxiety as they strive for perfection and become anxious when they feel they have fallen short. In fact, Many high flyers are perfectionists who set impossibly high standards for themselves, leading to anxiety and self-doubt when they cannot reach those lofty ambitions.
5. Uncertainty:
The financial markets are constantly changing, and investment bankers must adapt to those changes quickly. We work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where change is constant. For many people, this is an environment where they can thrive. But for others, the constant chopping and changing can be very disruptive.
This uncertainty can be stressful and lead to anxiety as they try to navigate and adapt to new challenges and situations. Just as volatility in the financial markets can impact financial assets, then so too can a volatile work environment affect people – contrary to popular belief, we are not robots!
6. Fear of losing control
A career in banking can carry high stakes. High flyers often have a lot of responsibility (both in work and outside), and the fear of losing control or making a mistake can cause anxiety. Its easy to feel yourself losing it all if you think that events are moving beyond your control.
For investment bankers, where risk management and prudence are drilled into us from day 1, the sense of being in control is something that many of us crave – but as you can see this is a double edged sword.
7. Personal factors
At the end of the day, we are only human. Just because investment banks tend to employ highly successful people, does not mean that these people are immune from the things that affect all of us. On the contrary, high flyers are certainly not immune to the normal stressors of life.
Indeed, it is quite common for high flyers to have relationship problems, health issues, or even financial stress, all of which can contribute to anxiety. One of the problems is that we often do not discuss these personal factors with our colleagues in the office, hence all of the stress and tension stays bottled upon inside of us – destroying our well-being from the inside out.
Don’t Despair…
It’s important to note that anxiety can affect people in all walks of life and also, not all high flyers experience anxiety. If you are experiencing anxiety, it’s ok – its not your fault – but it’s very important to reach out and seek professional help and support.
That might be by working with a coach who can help you look forwards, or perhaps a therapist who can help you uncover the past, or maybe even talking to a close friend can help you relieve the burden on your mind that is at the root of your anxiety. Do not suffer in silence.