Divorce is a complicated process that can be hard to manage. You may find yourself struggling with work, or maybe you are lucky enough to find work a welcome distraction. Regardless of how your divorce impacts your professional life, it’s important to know the coping strategies available so that you’re ready to handle anything life throws at you.
There are several steps you should take if you want to avoid failure during this trying time. Confiding in someone at work, being kind to yourself, and knowing when to say no to extra work will help you weather this difficult time. If you want more information on these helpful tips for coping with a divorce without letting your work suffer, read on!
How to spot the signs your divorce is affecting your work
Before you can get things back on track, you need to learn to spot the signs that your divorce is affecting your performance at work.
Are you leaving tasks unfinished? Or having trouble concentrating during the day? Do you find you are more emotional or have a short temper? If so, there’s a chance your divorce is to blame.
In addition to not handling your usual workload, you might feel additional anxiety around tasks that normally wouldn’t phase you. Learn to identify when it’s all getting too much and remove yourself from the situation.
Many people fear crying in the office as they don’t want to bring their emotional problems to work. Remember, it isn’t the end of the world if you get upset. Take a moment, compose yourself, and then get back to the task at hand.
How to combat feeling unproductive at the office
The simplest thing you can do to pull your focus back to your work is to leave your phone switched off. Getting distracted by solicitors’ calls during the day is sure to zap your concentration. Work with a solicitor that appreciates they need to get all of the divorce information over to you outside of work hours when you are actually equipped to deal with it.
If you find yourself unable to concentrate for any reason, try taking a short walk or listening to some music at your desk. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a break and grab a coffee. It’s important to give yourself these little breaks, as they’ll help you get through the day without slipping up.
The importance of confiding in someone at work
Going through a divorce without telling anyone around you will only compound your stress. You could confide in your boss, your HR manager or one of your colleagues. Just make sure that someone around you knows what is going on.
You might not want to talk about your divorce at the office. If that’s the case, let your colleagues know this without being too forceful. You don’t need to get into a whole explanation of what is going on in your life – just politely let them know you’d rather not talk about it.
Tips for saying no to more than you can handle
If your workload is getting unmanageable, you have to be smart about how you handle it. For example, when your boss invites you out for drinks after work, politely decline. If pressing deadlines are making things worse, try asking for an extension.
Know your limits, and don’t allow people to push your boundaries. It’s okay to take things a little easier at work, as long as you get your core tasks done. You can be superhuman another time, but not when you’re going through a divorce.
However, if you find you’re excited about a work project and feel that it could be a welcome distraction, don’t be afraid to jump in headfirst. Over time, you might find you spend less time thinking about your divorce and are excited to focus on your work again, and you’ll appreciate the distraction a big project brings.