Critical Thinking: Your Strongest Muscle for Managing Anxiety at Work

Anxiety is powerful—both emotionally and physically. Sometimes, we expect it, like before a job interview. Other times, it sneaks up on us, like an unexpected storm. When anxiety strikes, our bodies react: a pounding heart, sweating, muscle tension, or shakiness. These sensations can trigger distressing thoughts—"What’s wrong with me?" "Why do I always freak out?" This cycle clouds judgment, fuels worst-case thinking, and leads to impulsive decisions.

Anxiety, generally, is part of our built-in safety system, alerting us to potential threats. Anxiety at work usually feels super annoying. But is anxiety always bad? Not necessarily. How do we best respond to it when we feel anxiety at work? What is the key to managing it effectively? Critical thinking!

What Is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking helps us analyze thoughts, emotions, and situations with logic and reason. It means evaluating information objectively, challenging assumptions, and separating facts from feelings. When applied to anxiety, critical thinking helps us pause, regain control, and respond thoughtfully rather than react out of fear.

Here’s how it works in two real-world scenarios:

Expected Anxiety: The Job Interview

Tyler, a seasoned software developer, feels stuck in his job. With an upcoming job interview at another company on his schedule, his anxiety kicks in: What if I go blank? What if my voice shakes? What if I look incompetent? The fear of failure fuels self-doubt.

Enter Critical Thinking! Instead of spiraling, Tyler steps back and reframes his perspective: "Of course I’m anxious—this is an important opportunity!" Rather than self-criticism, he shifts to a productive mindset: "I haven’t interviewed in two years—this is a great challenge." He also rethinks the interview as a conversation, not a test—helping him regain control, build confidence, and manage his anxiety.

Unexpected Anxiety: The Good News Meltdown

Sheryl, an assistant program director, finally lands a well-earned promotion. But instead of celebrating, she panics: "What if I can’t handle this?" "What if they made a mistake?" Fear of failure paralyzes her.

Enter Critical Thinking! Sheryl recognizes she’s anxious about being anxious and confides in a trusted friend, which eases her shame. She reminds herself: "I earned this promotion based on skill, not luck." By making a plan to break-down her new responsibilities into manageable steps and to seek mentorship, she shifts from fear to self-trust, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.

The Takeaway

By practicing critical thinking, we can navigate anxiety with clarity and confidence—transforming it from a roadblock into a tool for self-growth.