Being sent out of country on a business trip......and scared

[Section_31]

Soooo yea, not much triggers my anxiety at work anymore, untill now...

My boss asked me in a meeting today if i would be willing to go to colorado for the company later this summer. It isnt a for sure thing, but if it comes up he wants to already have someone who is able to go and do the job. So of course inside im screaming and quietly freaking out. But i do a good job of hiding it and calmly said of course id go, as really, im pushing for a raise and somthing like this will really help my career if it happens.

Ok so, yea, now im in my office, my doors locked, and im sweating buckets just THINKNIG about going. Dont ask me why, but the thought of going to another country has always scared me sh!tless. Its stupid, annoying, and silly because i KNOW i have nothing to be afraid of, but try convincing my un-listening nerves that. I think my pulse is pretty high right now.

Im having a cold drink to try to calm myswelf down. I dont think its worth worrying about somthing that may or may not happen quite a while from now, but im really distracted because of this and am terrified.

Advice?.

 

[Azael]

I've moved various countries alot, there's nothing particular that should concern you. I would however congratulate you on being picked for this assignment. Your boss obviously values you, they don't send out ambassadors abroad for nothing. You are obviously their best foot to put forward, so that speaks volumes about your capacity to do this. Take some time out to get over the thought of it and just take each step as it comes.

 

[Moa]

I can totally understand why you're scared. I've never been to another country for work, but I used to have to fly all over the U.S. for previous jobs I've had. It freaked me out at first, lots of panic attacks and crying. Eventually I got desensitized to it because I did it so often.

Do you know where in Colorado you'll be headed? I've been to Denver and the surrounding suburbs, and to Boulder. It's beautiful, the people were quite laid back, and the highways were easy to figure out. You won't have to learn a new language, and the scenery will be much the same as where you're from. The culture won't be much different from that of Calgary, I promise.

When I'd travel, I'd get horrible anxiety about being unfamiliar with my surroundings, so before every trip I'd start studying a map of the area. I'd get to know the highways, and the main roads to lessen the chance I'd get lost. I'd read up on the different neighborhoods, so I knew which ones were safe and which weren't. And I'd read up on hotels and restaurants so I could find decent places to stay and to eat. Anything to get familiar with the area before I got there. Maybe that would help you too?

 

[twiggle]

Things are sometimes more scarier from a distance than they are from up close. Sounds like it shouldn't be true, but sometimes it is.
There's not a lot that can be done about it now, but when and if the time comes, I'm sure you'll find it easier to handle than you think you will, because you'll have no other choice but to just get on with it.
If anything, it's a good thing. Sometimes we need challenges like this to help us overcome our fears. Who knows, maybe you'll develop a little penchant for travel and want to see more places. If you don't embrace the opportunity, and try to change, things will stay the same, and you'll spend the rest of your life worrying about potential trips abroad that may be sprung upon you. Better to work around the fear sooner, rather than later

 

[Aletheia]

I've always loved travelling for pleasure.

I've always loathed travelling for business. All the pressures of the job plus I was away from my support network and the sanctuary of my own home. Nowhere to depressurize. And I was always slightly off balance due to subtle cultural differences.

But then, I have major career issues. If your anxiety is now quiescent at work, you may have no trouble.

How long are you likely to be there? And you're married right? What will happen regarding your wife?

(On the up side, Colorado is stunningly beautiful with the Rockies as a backdrop. Maybe they'll make you feel at home.)

 

[Section_31]

My wife will be staying home. we talked about paying for her to come with me but we just cant afford it, so that option is out.

So yea, im nervous. Hell, im scared outright.

im sure i will slowly come down, yuo can only stay at a certain level of anxiety for so long right?

 

[awkwardamanda]

Is this going to be a short trip or a long one? Are you going alone? That could effect whether or not this will be manageable for you. At least it's only the U.S. It's not like you're being sent halfway around the world to some foreign country where you don't get the culture and can't speak the language.

 

[MikeyC]

Oh, mate, cherish this! Even if the work is crap, it's something you can look back on when you're done as an experience, whether it was good or bad! I think you'll enjoy the new scenery, even though the pressures of work are there.

If my boss told me I had to travel elsewhere in Australia for my job (100% not going to happen), I would seriously jump at the opportunity. I hope you do it!

 

[MsBuzzkillington]

I am not sure if it helps, but you're in Canada yeah? Sure, Colorado is in another country... technically, it's still on the same continent. So you aren't really crossing any big oceans to get there and you aren't really that far away. It's basically like going to a different part of your country.

Pretend like you aren't going to a completely different country, just pretend you are going a few states over or something.

 

[Section_31]

Thanks for the support everyone .

I'll be going alone. Most likely on a friday morning, coming back on a sunday afternoon. So its not TOO long per se.

And im going to definately do it if it becomes a for sure deal. Terrified or not ill force myself through it. Im very good at faking being calm.

Believe me, i KNOW how irrational this is. But then, isnt S/A irrational?

 

[MikeyC]

You won't be gone very long, then. That's good, mate! I'm glad you'll definitely do it, as you'll see the benefits immediately. Awesome.