After his time on the floor, James decided it was time to review his options and start setting some priorities. He knew that he had to protect his job, so that became his first priority. He started working on issues at work, including acceptance for the issues that he couldn’t control and motivation to manage the ones that he could.

James reorganized some of his work projects, and how he managed his productivity.  He began working on his own attitude, including being thankful for his job and opportunities he had to shine.  He worked with his team and offered support to others.  He shared with his supervisor the current issues at home, but also shared that he was focused on his job and was open to concerns if there were issues in his performance.

James had a deep respect for his supervisor.  She had been supportive and respectful, and he hoped to continue that trend.  She had skills that he rarely saw in leadership and he wanted her to know that he respected her.

His productivity began to improve, and James felt better about his position. He also started exploring options for the future. As much as he loved his supervisor and his team, he knew that he needed to explore other options to secure his future.  He thought about possible other jobs, around the country that held the promise of being able to start over. He didn’t know how serious he was, but he had to consider all his options.

Living with his wife was still complicated, although not impossible.  He knew that he wouldn’t be able to do it forever, but he wasn’t sure what would be best for the short term.  He thought about the house they owned together, the bills they held, and other intertwined financial accounts. Sometimes he thought he should just find a job in another location to force a separation. He just wanted to make sure that the decision wouldn’t set him back financially. It was an option, but was it the best option?

James was working on his own finances.  He didn’t have much debt, and he was putting money away in a separate savings account.  He and his wife still had bank accounts in common, as they still had bills to pay together.  He wanted his own savings, to start working on his own future. This was another priority.

James had to think about his own connections.  Saving his marriage had been his priority in recent years.  As he thought about current events, he felt isolated and depressed.  He didn’t have anyone to enjoy outings or events.  He needed to work on making friends, but he didn’t know where to start. He thought about things he liked to do, and about how to make connections, but knew this priority would take time. He had always been shy, and his self-esteem had suffered over the years and wasn’t currently great, but that was another goal he needed to address.

James took some time to review his priorities.  He knew his future depended on his employment, so that had to be first.  He needed to manage his finances appropriately, so that became the second.  He knew that he needed to make other connections.  No matter what happened in the future, he needed to feel less isolated.  It would help his self-esteem and decrease his depression.  That needed to be the third priority, and could be the hardest.

With his priorities set, he started thinking about the future.  A glimmer of hope sparked deep within him. Whatever happened with his marriage, he needed to make himself happy, and he knew for now, it would be without his wife.