Some people believe there is a very distinctive barrier between our personal and professional lives which keeps the two separate. However, when you really step back and take an honest and discerning look at your own experiences and those of others you have worked with, this is clearly not the case. In fact, it is quite common for one’s personal baggage to be carried right through the front door, unpacked and spread throughout the workplace.

We travel between two interconnected worlds – the personal and the professional. When there is balance, purpose, contentment, happiness and success in one’s life outside of business, the version of themself they take into the workplace is very different than if this is not their reality. 

Relationship issues, parenting challenges and extended family matters are common occurrences in the lives of people. These are real issues that often weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of those affected. When not managed effectively, they can have a negative and even lasting impact on attitude, performance, morale and the business itself.

When you compound this with additional circumstances such as financial troubles, health problems, lack of purpose, meaning and fulfillment and the despair that often accompanies them, you have a recipe for disaster through dysfunctional behaviors. Who you are at work directly affects the team members, customers and the bottom line in profound ways.

As a business coach and consultant, I have witnessed top performers lose all sense of direction and focus due to mounting personal issues, and their inability to deal with them in a constructive way. Even after years of dedicated work, it can be a quick slide from the top when personal challenges overwhelm one’s ability to function at the high levels they and others have grown accustomed to.  

Business owners, managers and anyone else in a leadership role have the largest impact – positive or negative – on the work environment. Team members look to these individuals for direction, guidance and stability. When a leader is lost in their own personal issues or is unable to separate from them while on the job, the entire team will be impacted to some degree, and a noticeable funk can easily overcome the entire department or business.

An increase in errors and customer dissatisfaction – often due to a lack of focus and disengagement – coupled with a loss of revenue and the negative impact on the work environment can only be tolerated for so long before a team member must be let go. But this doesn’t have to be the case.

Personal life challenges belong solely to the person having them – not everyone at work. And, certainly not to the customers who are patronizing the business. One successful strategy is to view work as a “timeout” – or getaway – from your personal challenges. By placing your attention and energy squarely on the work at hand, you give yourself a much-needed break from the painful reality of your personal circumstances and the opportunity to feel better as you excel professionally. 

I’m in no way suggesting that one should deny or avoid the challenging realities of their personal life. In fact, my position is quite the opposite. My approach simply suggests that there is an appropriate time and a place for dealing with the difficulties in one’s life, but – in all likelihood – that place is not at work.

People are often of the belief that they should just “pull themselves up by the bootstraps” because getting assistance with their life challenges is a sign of weakness. This is often a difficult, lonely and unsuccessful route, however. If you find yourself challenged to take back your life on your own, there is no shame in that. 

Seeking out the professional help of a qualified coach to get yourself – and your life – in balance and on track, is a wise choice indeed. It is amazing what can be accomplished with increased awareness, simple changes in perspective, goal setting, and accountability supplied through the unbiased support of a competent coach. 

Unwanted, unexpected and truly challenging situations are a part of life for each of us. They can be difficult and daunting, but they don’t have to damage or destroy a career or business. If your ability to function at a high level and to be successful and happy is compromised by the issues in your personal life, make the strong choice to get the assistance you need so you can bring your best, not your baggage, to work.