Before You Go to Work Distraught, Remember Why You Chose it

People go through stressful, painful times in their lives and those feelings can affect those around you. It's hard to fake a reaction when feelings get in the way, especially when body gestures play a prominent role in the way we communicate. So, rather than faking a reaction or attempting to hide your feelings from others, wouldn't it make more sense to adjust your attitude so that you are able find some inner peace before you inadvertently make those around you  aware of your pain and suffering?

If you are going through a very difficult time in your life, you can still go to work and be in control of your emotions by remembering why you chose to do that work. 

If you are a technical expert at something, remind yourself that you are there to be the best at what you do and that what you are doing is truly making a difference. This will empower you and make you feel like you are important, regardless of what friends and family think of your current state.

If you go to work because you feel you had no choice but to work there, for whatever reason, you should still aim to be the best at it, that way it will be much easier to change career paths when you decide it's time. Also, thinking ahead about a career change will keep you in a positive frame of mind because you will see the light at the end of the tunnel and keep your mind off your problems.

One of the most difficult things for a person to do is to remain positive during a crisis as it is so much easier to dwell on things that cannot be changed or that will take time to change (like divorce, death, debt, etc). Close friends and family members can be there for you outside of work, but while at work, you are many times on your own. Some workplaces encourage troubled employees to take some time off, reduce their workload or even offer some form of grief counseling when they are noticeably distraught. 

I am in no way suggesting that a person should bottle up their emotions and be a good little worker; quite the contrary. I am saying that if we have the power to adjust our attitudes in the right way, we can help ease our own minds, get extra help when we need it and still feel important, rather than neglected, unloved, bereaved, broke, useless, etc.

It's up to a person to be able to conjure the feelings of empowerment, mental control and inner peace, from within, from without or from a combination of the two. Talking about it to somebody you trust helps.