Downsizing, added work loads, difficult co-workers, budget cuts and poor leadership can cause even the calmest person to worry on the job. On way to deal with stress and job worries is to control the things you can and trust God for the rest.

Here are 5 proactive steps you can take in order to get rid of job worry:

1) Organize the clutter. If you are running around your office like the White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland, thinking, “I’m late. I’m late, for a very important date!” you may need to declutter. You control your workspace. Clutter creates distraction. Distraction slows you down and can cause you to miss deadlines or turn in late assignments. Cleaning papers off your desk can free your mind.

2) Find positive, supportive people. Find at least one person in your workplace that will help you stay positive on the job. Befriend that person or better yet, become that person for others.

3) Use humor to break tension. Humor is a self-care tool that fosters a positive and hopeful attitude. It releases emotions and stimulates the immune system. Studies at Cornell University concluded that people exposed to humor in the workplace were more creative problem-solvers and could better see the consequences of their individual decisions.

4) Lose the perfectionism.Perfectionists worry about every detail on the job. They want approval and don’t want to disappoint. Perfectionism impacts productivity and job satisfaction and can also damage relationships with supervisors and colleagues. It is self-imposed stress. Look at the big picture and stop getting lost in the details.

5) Evaluate your working conditions. If they are poor, see if you can make changes in small things or decide to look for another position if the workplace is dangerous or toxic. For example, is the worked too demanding with too few people, are expectations unclear, is communication poor, do you lack the resources needed for the job, is there air pollution or ergonomic problems that are not getting solved? When working conditions are poor you can suggest changes, accept the poor conditions or find another position.

Adapted from Letting Go of Worry by Dr. Linda Mintle (Harvest House 2011)