THE TRUTH IS OUT!

I have never been too reserved about letting people know that I have anxiety disorders and phobias. I have always found that by "revealing this part about myself," it takes away 45.5% of the stress itself. I am a very active business and social person, and I need to deal with lots of people, lots of personalities, and in lots of situations, every day. So I tell the truth about "me," and here is what I get back in return. Thought you might enjoy this!

1. 39.4% of my business associates don't believe it.
2. 43.4% believe it once we go on a trip together and I talk too much about the weather before the plane takes off!
3. 41.4% will ultimately admit to having some anxiety or phobia themselves that they've never told anyone about except for "me!" Many "everyday" people tell me in the strictest of confidence that they're terrified of spiders, or airplanes, or public speaking, or just meeting new people!
4. 38.5% tell me that their spouses have some type of anxiety or depression and that they take certain meds.
5. 28.5% later tell me that they too have " a little bit of that."
6. 41.4% tell me that they are phobic about their mother-in-laws. Nah. Make that 78.3%. Okay, 92.4%.
7. 83.9% say, "David, you are so good in the business you're in, how can you possibly be telling the truth about having anxiety, phobias, and fears. I would have never guessed it in a million years."
8. 16.1% say, "David, I knew it!" (These are usually the folks who have the same fears!) What surprises a lot of folks is that it's entirely possible to be self confident, successful, and even "happy" even when one has anxiety disorders and phobias.

Yesterday, I hired a new marketing manager. Her name is "Agnes". She told me in the third interview (I guessed it!) that she has general anxiety disorder. She told me about her panic attacks. When I told her that her own boss (me!) has the same types of disorders, she seemed to relax. Ironically, she said that she would probably do the best job she has ever done because for the first time ever she would have a boss who truly understands!

I told Angela that she's probably had other bosses who also "understood," but no one has ever admitted it to her before! Meanwhile, she's going to do a fantastic job for me and I think that her anxiety will become "energy" and her worries will become "productive!"

Oh, of course I made up the percentages in my make shift survey. They are intuitive!
Peace and love and blessings to all,
"Scott"

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