Dealing with multiple demands

The idea of playing a role at work can actually make it easier to deal with times of great stress - including the stress of others. Mentally, take a step back and play your part.

We all have times when health, family or financial problems can cause stress or even depression. It is important to address these underlying concerns - take time off work if you need to - but do not let these concerns impact on your work performance or your attitude at work because others will see you as someone who is not focused or maybe someone who is unprofessional.

Have you heard about people compartmentalising their emotions? Not in the full-blown psychoanalytic sense of repressing your emotions – but really putting your emotions and non-work related thoughts to one side while you deal with work. Your life and its associated responsibilities can be mentally (and actually) arranged so that you can work effectively in different areas. When professional and private lives get blurred, problems can arise. Just as you're advised to leave home issues at home, so too should you leave work at work! However, it's often easier said than done.

You cannot be all things to all people – so don’t even try. And remember the saying that no one on their death bed says, “I wish I’d spent more time in the office!”