We know very well that going through a period of financial difficulty is not pleasant at all, and it is not always easy to deal with this situation.Often, it develops into a true state of stress, creating implications in every aspect of our lives and potentially even putting one of our main sources of wealth at risk: our work.
Is it possible to identify the exact moment when this begins to happen? In other words, at what level of financial stress do people start missing work, using company time and resources to look for solutions to their problems, or reaching the highest level of stress at work?
These problems may originate primarily from:
a) Circumstantial events that generate a major negative financial impact, such as job loss, illness, an accident, divorce, etc.;
b) Lack of financial education, which prevents people from properly managing their finances;
c) Psychological factors, which include consumerist impulses and addictions related to gambling, drugs, and alcohol;
d) Stagnation or reduction in income, characterized by a gradual loss of purchasing power.
Thus, there is not exactly a specific moment when professional performance declines due to financial problems, nor is there a single event that triggers this decline. Rather, it is the combination of these factors, because they are all related in some way. In fact, the reactions occur gradually and increase according to the duration and intensity of the financial problems. For example, if there is not enough money to make it through the month, the first step is to use a credit card or an overdraft facility. If this becomes a routine, the next step is to seek out finance companies, friends, and family. As a last resort, loan sharks. The problems accumulate and, along with them, stress increases—which also varies according to each person’s psychological resilience.
In other words, another aspect to consider is that certain people are better able to deal with financial stress or any other type of stress. For example, there are people who may be facing serious financial difficulties but are not at all worried. On the other hand, another person may not even be able to sleep because of a debt of, for example, R$ 30.00. Because we are dealing with human reactions, there is no fixed dividing line or standard behavior.
But one thing is certain: whether to a greater or lesser degree, financial problems will affect one’s professional day-to-day life. The sooner there is awareness of the problem and the sooner help is sought, the better.
