Staying Focused On Work During Stressful Moments
We work best (indeed, live best) when we get into the groove. We’re in a routine that works for us, and we’re able to comfortably manage the challenge of navigating our professional and personal spheres. But then, sometimes something happens that derails all of that. If a stressful moment is abruptly inserted into our lives, then it we’re trying to fight a fire on two fronts: we’re handling what’s happened on a personal level, yet we also need to somehow carry on with our career, too, and that’s not always the easiest task in the world. Below, we take a look at a few tips that’ll help you to find a balance.
Divide Your Life
When something bad happens in our life, it’s usually all we can think about. And when we’re faced with the prospect of going to work, we usually can’t imagine how we’re going to make it through the day. There’s just too much on our mind. If you have no choice other than to head to the office, then it’s recommended that you change your thinking. When you’re at work, you’re in professional mode. You can throw yourself into your work, and put your problems aside for a few hours. You’ll be thinking about your issues all the time you’re outside of work: use this as a chance to give your mind a break.
Talk To Your Boss
Depending on where you work, you might find more understanding from your boss than you might imagine. While many bosses are painted as being cold and unfeeling, and only concerned with the bottom line of the company, this is only really the case in big corporations (and even then, not always). If you work for a small or medium-sized company, speak to your boss about your situation. They’ll likely be happy to let you work from home or work flexible hours. If you get a cold response, then it might be time to look for another job.
Work With Professionals
Sometimes, it’s not just that you’re going through a difficult time and you have to work — the problem is that you also have a lot of arrangements to make or paperwork to fill out, such as when you’re dealing with a death in the family. Rather than fill your plate up with even more tasks, look at working with professionals. You can hire a probate attorney to handle matters related to the will, for example. This will take one thing off your plate, and also prevent further complications (such as disagreements between siblings) from arising, too.
Talk it Out
Many people want to have an appearance of strength when they’re going through a tough period, but this isn’t always the best approach. In fact, it rarely is. It’s not healthy to bottle up your problems. If you do, you might find that you’re far too tense at work to focus on anything; you’ll be on edge. When you’re not at work, talk through your problems with a trusted friend. You’ll feel lighter for it.