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They always say you should leave your personal life at home when you go to work, which isn’t bad advice as such. The problem is it’s not always as easy to do as it is to say, and if you run your own business your personal life can be very close to your working life. Many small business owners have partners and family members working for them, freelancers may well work from home, and who doesn’t take work home with them when the pressure is on? There are all kinds of crises that can strike at home, so it’s good to plan for the worst and make sure you minimiseany impact on your business.
Damage to your home
Having a fire or a flood, or a falling tree hit your house can be extremely stressful and harrowing experiences. If you’re in the house at the time, your life could have been in danger, as well as the effects of the damage to your possessions and personal mementos. It’s one of the worst experiences you can encounterbecause home is the place where you need to feel safe and protected from the harsh realities of life. People often suffer from anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following these kinds of events, so you shouldn’t underestimate the seriousness of living through these experiences.
Having adequate insurance, however, will help you replace what you’ve lost, although personal items like old photos, letters, and keepsakes will often be irreplaceable. It’s a good idea to use one of the fire restoration companies to conduct the clean-up operation. They are skilled at salvaging as much as possible after a fire and getting rid of smoke and water damage. This could help soften the blow if you can save more than you expected to. You shouldn’t neglect yourself after such an experience, and counsellingcan be vital to helping you overcome the feelings of shock and loss you’ll have.
Relationship problems
Marital break-ups and problems with partners or other family members are another of life’s most stressful events, and they can have a noticeable impact on your working life. If the person you conflict with also works with you, it will be far more difficult because you will be trying to run a business working with someone with whom your channels of communication have broken down. You also won’t get a break from the problems you’re having if you can’t get away from each other, and that will add to the strain. Even if your partner or family member isn’t involved in the business, you will still be feeling a mix of emotions and be preoccupiedto the extent thatcould affect the profitable functioning of the business. Some people find their work becomes their sanctuary, a place to escape from their marital problems or family dysfunctions. It’s not easy to fix these problems, and every situation is unique. However, the sooner you resolve the issues you’re experiencing, the sooner you can concentrate fully on your business again. It’s always advisable to consider some form of counselling, be that marriage guidance, family therapy, or personal analysis. No-one who works with you will expect you to tell them everything about your personal problems, but they should be made aware that you’re having difficulties so they understand why you might not be yourself for a while.
Addiction and substance abuse
You don’t have to be a addicted to drugs to experience problems with addiction. One of the most significant drug problems in America at the moment is the abuse of prescription painkillers. These medicines were prescribed for conditions such as chronic pain, but it was then discovered that they could be highly addictive, leading to a thriving black market in prescription fraud and theft. Another common problem, especially for people with high-pressure jobs, is alcohol abuse. You may not think you’re an alcoholic, but if you’re finding it hard to get through the day without a drink and you turn to the bottle as a form of self-medication on a regular basis, then you need toaccept that you’ve got a problem. There are support organisations for all kinds of addictions and problems with alcohol, so you should find a local branch to help you with your situation. There are also national helplines and websites that canoffer advice and support.
Whatever your personal problems are, sometimes it’s simply not possible to keep them away from your working day. The best thing you can do is work on resolving your issues and getting help with your feelings, to put you back on track.
