Final answer:
Address stress proactively and communicate effectively to maintain professionalism with customers. Being resourceful and managing personal stressors can help improve interactions and job satisfaction. Speak with a supervisor or HR if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
It's a good idea to communicate effectively if stress in your personal life is affecting your interactions with the customer. Being aware of your stress levels and finding ways to manage them can help you maintain professionalism in the workplace. Rather than ignoring personal issues, it's important to address them responsibly so they don't impact your customer service. This may include speaking with your supervisor or the HR department if the situation calls for it.
When dealing with stress, it is essential to choose your words carefully to avoid escalating any tensions, especially when communicating with customers. Stay as calm as possible and practice active listening, which includes restating what you hear to affirm your understanding and to avoid misunderstandings. Focus on being resourceful to solve problems rather than attributing blame.
In considering your manager as an important internal customer, assist your contacts whenever you can. This means responding to requests and being proactive about meeting your manager's needs, thus potentially opening up opportunities that can increase your job satisfaction.
Remember that stressors are often controllable to some extent, and a moderate amount of stress can enhance your performance by increasing your mental sharpness. However, when stress becomes too much, it can harm your health and sense of well-being. Therefore, it's important to be reflective and open to new possibilities that could bring more flexibility to your life and career.