Q: My husband was laid off a few months ago, and I feel so much pressure to do everything I can to avoid losing my job. My nerves are shot—how do I calm down?

A: You’re trying not to fail rather than working to 
excel. As a result, you’re 
approaching your job from 
a negative place. Making a conscious effort to operate from the positive will pay off. By focusing on not losing your job, you’re adding more stress to your life. 
Instead, focus on being a great contributor. Approach your job like a peak 
performer. Ask yourself: “What does it look like when I excel at my job? How do I approach tasks and people?” Envision all the moving parts of a job well done. Then take steps to 
execute what you envision. Make sure you look at what you do well; take pride in it and expand on it. You need to feel good about yourself and your work in order to excel. You may also want to request feedback from your boss and colleagues. Let them know that you’re 
focused on expanding 
your capacity to perform and would like their perspective on what you do well and your opportunities for growth.