What do you do if your personal life is affecting your ability to engage with customers?

If your personal life is impacting your ability to engage effectively with customers, it's important to prioritize self-care and seek support. Take time to address any personal issues causing stress or distraction, whether it's through therapy, talking to a trusted friend or family member, or engaging in activities that help you relax and recharge. Set boundaries between your personal and professional life to maintain focus during work hours. Communicate with your supervisor or manager if you need temporary accommodations or support. By taking proactive steps to address personal challenges, you can improve your ability to engage positively with customers and maintain professionalism in your role.

En primer lugar, comprender que la división entre la vida personal y laboral es sólo conceptual. Vamos cada día a ejercer nuestro rol laboral con todo lo que somos. Si estamos transitando un momento de cansancio, stress, angustia o preocupación, es muy difícil (y poco saludable!) disociarnos durante una jornada de 8 o más horas para que no se note. Esto no significa dar rienda suelta a estallidos emocionales que da?en a otras personas pero sí reconocer que, en momentos de dificultad, no somos un colaborador que está fallando, somos ante todo un ser humano siendo ser humano. Las personas naturalmente por momentos nos desregulamos, somos vulnerables y sufrimos. El desafío es aprender a transitar esos estados de un modo saludable.

Managing stress means listening when coworkers or management tell you there is a potential problem. Take a step back and reflect on what they say. Ask yourself some basic questions, are you sleeping good, are you able to concentrate, are you getting upset to easily, and are you taking breaks and lunch. Everyone experiences stress. Learning what triggers your stress and your coping mechanisms is the key. The hard part is acceping help.

El vínculo cotidiano con clientes puede ser un desafío cuando estamos experimentando dificultades y stress. El stress implica que hay una situación (real o imaginaria) que estamos percibiendo como amenazante y la parte más primitiva de nuestro cerebro se prepara para "atacar o huir". Claramente no están dadas las condiciones para desplegar cualidades como la paciencia, la empatía y la amabilidad requeridas en el servicio a otras personas. La primer recomendación es la PAUSA. Poder tener un espacio/tiempo para parar. Una pausa para conectar con el cuerpo, con las sensaciones físicas, la respiración, la agitación mental y las emociones que nos atraviesan en ese momento. Solo las pausas nos permiten recuperar el ritmo.

It is always best to keep your personal life from your business life. When a customer reaches out to your company they do not need to hear about what you have going on in your personal life. The customer is not your therapist, nor are you theirs.

Also staying off social media while at work. You can very easily loose so much productivity by just checking this or just checking that. Before you know it an hour has gone by. You are at work to work. Keep social media for breaks and when you are off the clock.

Maintaining professionalism at work while dealing with personal issues can be challenging. It's important to set boundaries between work and personal life, ensuring that personal matters do not interfere with customer interactions. Consider sharing only what you're comfortable with, and seek support from colleagues or a supervisor if needed. Managing emotions and stress through healthy outlets outside of work can also help maintain a professional demeanor during customer engagements. It's okay to ask for help and to take care of your wellbeing, as this ultimately contributes to better professional performance.

Personal struggles impacting your customer service? Here's how to cope: 1. Self-awareness is key: Recognise when your personal life is affecting your work. 2. Set boundaries: If possible, adjust your schedule or workload to minimize stress. 3. Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist for emotional support. 4. Professionalism first: Maintain a courteous and helpful demeanor during interactions with customers. 5. Consider disclosure: If absolutely necessary, briefly explain your situation to a supervisor to explore options (e.g., temporary leave). Remember, prioritize your well-being. Take steps to address the personal issues while maintaining professionalism with customers.