Core Insights - The article discusses the prevalent anxiety regarding job stability, particularly in the context of rising layoffs in the U.S. job market, which have reached the highest levels since 2020 [3][4]. Group 1: Job Stability Anxiety - Many individuals experience anxiety about job stability even in stable industries, despite good performance evaluations and regular communication with supervisors [4][5]. - The article identifies five common scenarios of excessive worry about unemployment and suggests coping strategies for each [5]. Group 2: Coping Strategies - One coping strategy involves recognizing cognitive distortions, such as emotional reasoning, where feelings are mistaken for facts, leading to unnecessary anxiety [6][7]. - Another method is to break down catastrophic thinking by listing the steps required for the worst-case scenario to occur, which often reveals a lower probability of such outcomes [10]. - Accepting uncertainty and seeking constructive feedback from supervisors can help manage the need for certainty in job security [12][14]. Group 3: Performance and Self-Worth - The article highlights the issue of conflating job performance with self-worth, where individuals feel their value is tied to their work success [16][20]. - It suggests focusing on intrinsic goals and recognizing personal strengths unrelated to work performance to build a more stable self-image [20]. Group 4: Seeking Approval - The tendency to seek approval from others as a measure of job security is discussed, emphasizing the risks of relying on external validation [21][22]. - The article encourages individuals to evaluate their work based on personal goals rather than others' opinions, fostering a sense of control over their job security [22].