It’s well known that diamonds are formed exclusively under immense pressure. But what about pressure at work or in the home? Does it also produce positive results?

Two of my favourite tennis players are often quoted as saying “pressure is a privilege” (Billie Jean King and my favorite human being Novak Djokovic).  Pressure is the privilege to try ever-harder, to win (and lose) bigger, and to experience the full range of feelings that life has to offer us for the brief time we’re here. Sounds good right?

A few years ago I had the chance to work in my dream job – for two years. I thrived under the pressure of a busy trading floor and enjoyed the diversity of the people I worked with, but eventually my team was taken over by the manager of another team. At the time I was also battling some long term health issues. 

Despite their initial support I quickly became a marked woman for an early exit from the team I loved. The pressure of facing a potential job loss added to the mental and physical burden and despite still being the top producer within the team, in no uncertain terms I was forced to walk away or else. 

This of course made a bad situation infinitely worse and it took me years before I could say I’ve recovered from the stress of that chapter. I’ve since landed on my feet in a new role within a new industry that I love (and always wanted to end up in sooner or later but I guess sooner isn’t so bad!) with a willing and supportive team and company culture. 

So was it all worth it? Some of you might say I wouldn’t be where I am had it not been for that episode, and that’s partly correct. However I am also certain that there were easier ways to get to the same destination without all the mental anguish it caused me along the way and left permanent damage. Am I stronger as a result? Yes and no.

Yes because I now have experience of what good and bad managers and company culture looks like so I know what to look for in future when job hunting. No because it simply didn’t have to happen this way – not everyone can suffer multiple setbacks and bounce back every time.

Of course pressure isn’t just from work. It can be within the home place like mine was. I went through amazing levels of stress watching family feuds whilst growing up and it definitely left permanent scars that took years of therapy to begin to heal. Did it make me stronger as a result?

Yes because I now know what poor mental health looks like and know either to stay away or get them help. However I’d have to go with a resounding no on this one – an entire childhood is too high a price to pay for becoming mentally tough in my opinion.