RE: Stress Management Amongst Technical Writers

Subject: RE: Stress Management Amongst Technical Writers
From: Uma_Nakkeeran <Uma_Nakkeeran -at- CGN -dot- Satyam -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 16:39:12 +0530


Warren Singer wrote <1. If you were to list the five most stressful
aspects of being a
technical writer (from most to least stressful), what items would
you
list?

(for example: 1. high work load, 2. tight deadlines,.....)

2. Are there any specific strategies you use to cope with work
stress?

This information would help me in an article I'm preparing for STC's

Intercom magazine.
Thanks>>

Hi Warren,
If you ask me the following would be the most stressful aspects of being a
technical writer.

* Unplanned and adhoc requirements - TWs are expected to be on their
toes ! - Relax! take few minutes break for breathing exercise..Inhale &
Exhale slowly...very slowly...Prioritize the load. And speak to them frankly
if it is highly IMPOSSIBLE to complete within the specified time
frame.......this is the most important thing!...Pl. tell them what u can do
and what u can't...Reason out politely why it can't be.

* Being a technical writer he/she is always expected to be perfect in
understanding, which sometimes may not be possible( for ex, understanding a
new technology/project) - This could be the case of TWs with non-technical
background....((Try to get more details about the technology/ project; go
thru the technical documents; chart out the points for your understanding)).


* Being left out of the group! (when there is no separate
documentation team/peer writer) - Feeling left out leads to insecurity.
((Again 'feeling left out' depends on the nature of the person...for ex,
whatever be the environment, an extrovert will mingle well with others. If
he/she is an introvert, it leads to insecure feeling. Slowly trying to come
out that feeling itself would be a great relief for introverts..Try to
mingle with few.....))
Our profession does give stress in certain situation. It cannot be measured
with the stress of the technical person/technical job.
Stress is a Stress....Leads to Physical ailments!....

If possible, try to learn 'Pranayasana' a simple breathing exercise in Yoga.




With Warm Regards,
Uma Nakkeeran
Satyam Computer Services Ltd.,
Chennai.


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