Hi all,
just before I leave here is some extra info to ponder
Working with Mental health that’s impacting your performance can be managed once you identify the things that are affecting you at work and putting some simple processes in place to manage them. Be open with your boss and ask for help, if you identify a solution or an issue discuss it with him/her and suggest that minor changes would assist in improving your performance; most astute employers are willing to adapt or make changes if it will increase performance. Here are some of the things that may be impacting your performance at work and possible solutions;
The work environment: Noise, lighting or smells, these things may be distracting; e.g. you might work near a loud copy/fax machine.
A solution for this could be to request that the machine be moved to a more suitable area, or have a partition place around the machine, if this is not possible you might request permission to wear some headphones with soft music
Concentration issues: perhaps you are having difficulty focusing on one task for an extended period of time and feel restless, or you may be having a hard time remembering everything.
A possible solution could be to break larger projects into smaller more manageable tasks, take regular breaks; a couple of minutes to relax or walk around whenever you feel you are losing focus.
Time pressures and multi-tasking: you may be having difficulty managing competing deadlines or prioritising.
Ask for assistance from your boss or co-workers to estimated time required to complete each task.
Lack of energy: Do you have enough energy to work for a full day?, is your medication making you drowsy
A possible solution could be a part-time schedule may be more suitable; ask for flex time or job sharing; take a rest break.
Difficulty with time pressures and multiple tasks: You may have trouble managing tasks, setting priorities, or meeting deadlines; or difficulty deciding which tasks to do first in order to complete a project by its due date.
Possible solutions could include, breaking larger projects down into smaller easier to manage tasks; meet with manager, colleagues or mentors and ask for help prioritizing or assessing time requirements to complete the project on time.
Negative feedback: You may have a hard time understanding criticism. Do you may get defensive if someone tells you your performance isn’t up to standard? You don’t know what to do to improve, or you may think trying to change things is a waste of time.
Try asking for a job coach to be present during line management or feedback; offer your own perspective of your strengths and weaknesses; ask for specific ways to improve; ask for feedback in writing with the opportunity to discuss again later.
Fear of change: Unexpected changes at work, such as new tasks or processes, new supervisors and co-workers, may be stressful for you, it may take you a longer to learn, or you may feel anxious around new people.
Try asking your employer to fore-warn you where possible of any changes; make an effort to introduce yourself to new colleagues; ask your employer to advise new supervisors of your needs.
