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Why Neglecting Your Mental Health Can Impact Your Career Development

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We have all faced a situation where something bad happened in our personal lives and we needed to keep working. It may have been mild or severe depression, a relationship breakup, or even a conflict with the neighbour. The amount of different factors that can negatively impact our mental health is vast. As a result, they may influence our output during our everyday jobs and even raise the concern of being fired.

I was actually faced with a challenge where I couldn’t meet my career goals because of my poor mental health. The reason for this was that within a six month timespan, a family member was admitted to the hospital, another got divorced after years of marriage which led him to clinical depression, and on top of that, I was left by the person I had decided to spend the rest of my life with.

As you would expect, my focus during that time was on different things rather than trying to feel good. However, this may have also been my biggest blunder.

If faced with personal adversity, avoid going into mental loops and ruining your career – among other life aspects – by taking care of yourself. The pain will most probably remain for some time and that’s absolutely normal since we are human beings.

Neglecting your mental health can cause a number of serious performance issues at work and affect how our employer, clients or colleagues perceive you.

Let’s see what the mistakes one can make are and how to avoid them:

1. You will repeatedly make mistakes

Have you ever tried to get out of the car with your seatbelt still on? Well, that’s because your mind was probably wandering somewhere else. Imagine however how severe this would be at work.

In fact, a study surveying nurses with sub-optimal mental health, showed that they were 26 to 71 percent more likely to make a medical error when compared to their healthier peers.

Constantly thinking about your personal situation or life hardships will most naturally result in making mistakes one after another. Your boss or clients will eventually start questioning the quality of your work.

2. You will be inconsistent on how you apply yourself

Consistency is key when it comes to career progression. This is because we are required to show the same level of character, technical expertise and even business acumen on a daily basis.

For example, what would the impact be if the performance of a top football player fluctuated between games? Consistency essentially translates to three main things: credibility and reputation of your name or business, accountability of your actions and measurement of your performance.

In case something goes wrong, try to be mentally strong and maintain the same level of output from day to day until the storm passes.

“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” – Dwayne Johnson

3. Your productivity levels will plunge at a dramatic rate

Productivity is often associated with high motivation and mood levels. Hence, poor mental health will most certainly translate into insufficient amounts of work and low performance levels.

In fact, a UK report from the chief medical officer for England, revealed that the number of sick days taken due to stress, depression and anxiety, increased by 24% between 2009 and 2013.

Being productive when having to deal with personal problems is indeed an extraordinary trial. The important thing to remember though is that with time, you will get back to your previous norms and produce the same results as before.

4. You will become moody and difficult to communicate with

Another change you will notice when neglecting your well-being is a foul mood and poor communication skills. Have you ever been in a situation where someone was too harsh on you because they had a bad day? This somewhat unexpected behaviour could exponentially increase from day to day unless you set your mind to solve what’s wrong.

In times of personal adversity, you may see changes in how you support your arguments, collaborate with others or even receive feedback. This kind of attitude may even cause some kind of inconvenience or even awkwardness in the team. Remember to focus not only on smiling but also on what and how you articulate your opinion.

“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer

Takeaway Message

The good news is that all of the above can be somewhat dealt with. Maybe not entirely, as the pain will still be there, but everyone can increase their mental strength through difficult times – the relevant situation may even be the precursor for self-development.

My top 5 tips to follow when faced with hardships and still have to progress in your career include:

  • Ask for help and mental support
  • Let your colleagues know of the situation
  • Embrace your relationships with friends and family
  • Engage in relaxation activities like deep breathing, yoga and reading
  • Practice acceptance of the events

How do you deal with personal hardships when at work? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Marios Kokolakis is a health motivation blogger and Content Manager at Brain Sharp; a fitness and nutrition blog promoting organic brain health supplements for concentration and productivity. His goal is to share his passion for health and fitness through blogging, while motivating people to pursue their dreams by applying different healthy lifestyle tips.

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Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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