Divorce is a unique and personal challenge that affects almost every aspect of the lives of those involved. Often times, when a couple is going through a divorce, it greatly affects their living arrangements, their children and relatives, and their work life. As challenging as it is, it’s crucial for you to sustain your job performance throughout your divorce. Maintaining gainful employment is necessary for your financial and emotional well-being.
Here are 5 tips for surviving the work day and staying focused on your career while going through a divorce:
1. Notify your supervisor
You might prefer to keep your personal life private, and you should probably avoid telling everyone in the office the details of your break-up, but it’s wise to let your supervisor know what you’re going through. Let him or her know you’re dealing with some personal challenges and may have some occasional time restraints or schedule conflicts during the process. That way, if something does come up, your boss isn’t left in the dark. It’s better to let them know ahead of time, so you can avoid any work-related conflicts or tensions later.
2. Leave it at the door.
One of the most difficult parts of divorce is that even though your world feels like it’s shattered, life doesn’t stop. You still have other professional responsibilities to tend to. Leaving your divorce worries outside your employer’s door can determine how divorce affects your employment. Learning in advance to educate yourself about divorce so you can proceed through the process in the most effective manner is wise to keep divorce and employment separate.
When you go to work, it’s best to leave the worries and frustrations of your divorce behind. But that’s not always easy. It’s easy to allow impeding thoughts of the many changes divorce will bring. However, there’s a time and place to explore all the ins and outs of your divorce, but work should not be one of them.
3. Set aside time for divorce decisions.
Learning to navigate the divorce process and balance the emotional aspects can be overwhelming. Set aside time to actively work on divorce decisions so they don’t interfere with your work. Make appointments with yourself and stick to them. When you find yourself deviating from your schedule, it’s time to stop and refocus.
An effective way to stay productive is to schedule every detail of your life so you can check off everything you need to get done. Write down the most important things you have to get done each day, like pick the kids up from school, prepare for an upcoming meeting or presentation, and buy groceries. Never underestimate the power of a to-do list!
Another helpful tip is to schedule time every day for you to let off some steam. It’s important to stay focused on work, but it’s not realistic to completely ignore or avoid all your emotions. Make a date with yourself to go to the gym, take a coffee break, or do something else you enjoy. The better you take care of yourself, the better you’ll feel and the more productive you’ll be when you’re on the clock.
4. Find support outside of work.
Though it’s ok to confide in a close coworker about what you’re going through, it’s often best to keep details to a minimum when you’re at work. Establish a core group of people outside of work who can help you through this difficult transition. This group can include trusted family members, friends, and neighbors who can be there to listen to you, offer advice, and also help you when you run errands when you need it. Having a trustworthy group of people who support you will help relieve a lot of your stress.
5. Schedule your legal appointments around your work schedule.
Attempting to juggle your employment and office visits with your divorce attorney can be challenging. If possible, schedule your legal appointments for late afternoon, evenings, or weekends so they don’t interfere with the work day. When you make appointments during these times, you’ll be able to fully focus on your divorce process without potentially jeopardizing your job and causing additional strain on your co-workers.
With decades of experience as divorce and family attorneys, our team at Rieger, LLP knows that difficult family matters can be stressful. It’s our goal to make sure your best interests are protected, and your divorce-related issues are resolved as effectively as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.