This is considered a time for celebration, but it can also be a stressful period for many. Feelings of loneliness or inadequacy can be amplified by the weight of expectations and awareness of other people’s happiness. There will be fewer readers of Commsrisk on a day like today, but there are always some. So today I wanted to share a simple message: you are not alone.
The work we do in this profession can be difficult to explain to others, and may not always receive the respect it deserves. There may be a sister, boyfriend, neighbor or parent who listens to our worries, but they may not appreciate the pressures created by our work, because the challenges we encounter are hard to convey. Even our workplace colleagues may not fully comprehend our objectives, or why we pursue them so doggedly. Most of us work in small teams; customers and counterparts may be thousands of miles and several timezones away. We may sometimes feel isolated. But there are people who understand what you are going through. Some of them are reading these words now.
Over the last few years I have been fortunate to visit the homelands and share the company of countless professionals. Their skin might not look like mine, they may speak languages that I cannot follow, and their businesses may have systems and processes that I would find unfamiliar, but we have much in common. It is an honor to listen as analysts and managers describe how they solved real problems. Their satisfaction is shared by every listener, because we all understand frustration, and we all seek to overcome it. Everyone relates to the story of somebody who prevails over adversity, because we all want to be that person, because we have all been surrounded by obstacles.
We work in the communications industry. You have the tools to reach out to others, but may be unsure of who you might speak to. It is better to take a chance than to suffer in silence. Our community may be spread out, but we can still be a family to one another. Whatever troubles you may face, you can find someone who will listen and relate to your experiences. Do not be afraid. If you make the connection, you will make us all stronger.
