How to Stay Productive during a Personal Crisis

All I knew was that I didn't want to discuss it. I wanted to wallow in my self-pity and be left alone with my own bitter thoughts. No, I didn't want to talk about how my boyfriend had dumped me, my grandfather was dying, and how my new roommate rivaled Oscar the Grouch. And I especially didn't want to converse about how my beloved boss had left the company and bestowed upon me a position I felt unprepared for. Unfortunately, my coworkers didn't understand that and doled out condolences like stacks of newspapers.

Weathering the Storm

Let's face it: Personal crises often strike at unexpected times. Everything seems fine and dandy until certain circumstances threaten to take you down. Regardless of the nature of your crisis - bitter breakup or divorce, unfavorable medical diagnosis, death in the family, etc. - it's important to take time to grieve. Unfortunately, the fact that you have to go into the office each day often makes this difficult. So, how are you supposed to stay productive when you feel like your life's falling apart?

When a personal crisis strikes, consider these three approaches:

1. Keep Your Personal Life Personal

Although many of us are guilty of over-sharing at times, it may be best to keep your problems to yourself. Case in point: When my best friend's fiancé dumped her eight months before their wedding, she continued to wear her ring to work. Her rationale? She didn't want her coworkers to pity her or bombard her with a litany of questions. After about a month of maintaining the façade, she began to divulge her news. And, once she slipped that 1.5-carat sparkler off her hand, she was prepared to share her painful story.

I'm not suggesting that you keep everything to yourself. But, instead of disclosing your personal crisis to your entire office, select one or two coworkers to confide in. That way, you can get your problem off your chest without serving as fodder for the office gossip hounds. Plus, it's pretty difficult to get work done when you're constantly fielding questions from inquiring minds!

2. Keep an Inspirational Quote or Mantra Nearby

As a writer, I'm inspired by words. There's just something about hearing nuggets of wisdom from people who are far more intelligent than me. So, when I need a little motivation or encouragement, I open my journal and find a quote that pertains to my situation. For instance, after my boyfriend dumped me, I taped a spiritual quote to my computer monitor. Whenever negative thoughts invaded my mind and distracted me from the tasks at hand, I whispered the verse aloud. Although this may seem trite, it honestly helped.

3. Bribe Yourself to Finish Your Work

When I was distraught, I used bribery to help me stay productive. In fact, I would reward myself with small treats after completing particularly difficult assignments. Some days, I would buy myself a treat from Starbucks; other days, I would indulge in more-intensive retail therapy.

Given our current economic situation, I certainly wouldn't recommend this approach anymore; however, there is some insight to be gleaned from my indulgence. Rather than bribing yourself with material goods, think more broadly. Do you enjoy yoga? Are you a knitting enthusiast? Determine which activities make you smile, and reward yourself for making it through another difficult day by participating in them.

Up for Discussion

Have you ever weathered a personal crisis while holding down a 9-to-5 job? Do you have any additional tips for staying productive during a personal crisis? Please share your thoughts and opinions with the OfficeArrow community.