Staying happy during the workday....

February 16th, 2011

 

Here’s a secret.  Don’t let anyone else see or you just might want to share it with that one grumpy co- worker whose day never seems to be going right. You CAN be happy during work hours.

 Now don’t get too excited! Someone might hear you. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. You are the one person who has the biggest impact on whether or not you have a good day!

 Here are some things that may change your workday forever.   Let this secret out. Tell everyone you can. Maybe the world – or maybe just your own world - will be a happier place because of you spreading our little secret – and wouldn’t that be a good thing.

1. Positive Thinking - Avoid negative thinking. Focus on the positives... what do you really like about your job?   Why are you there?  Why did you choose to work at this place?  You have the control and choice to change if you so want!  You are there for a reason – empower yourself and take control of your thoughts. How could you incorporate more positive thinking into your working day?

2.Flexible Working Hours –. Working from home one day a week, for example, could give you more variety. This is not an excuse to get up late and lie around watching daytime TV. Discuss the options with your manager if possible.  There are a lot of companies going towards 4 – 10 hours work days.  People are enjoying the extra day off and employees are coming back to work more relaxed.  The extra hours during those four days tend to fly by and workers are more productive with fewer interruptions. 

3. Challenge Yourself - Seek new challenges. One of the reasons that we can get restless in our job is, quite simply, boredom. Think about ways in which you could make your job more interesting. Perhaps you could volunteer to mentor new staff, or spend some time each week shadowing people in other departments to get a broader perspective on the business? Discuss your ideas with your manager. Options tend to open when you ask and show initiative.  The fastest way to get promoted is to show your boss that you are excited about your work.

4. Have Some Fun -Inject a bit of fun into your workplace and get to know your co-workers.  That could be as simple as croissants on a Monday morning or a team drink on Friday afternoon. A few laughs go a long way and make the day seem less long. 

5. Prioritise Your Workload - If you find that you are getting down because you work long hours and don't have time to have fun outside work, let alone in the office, you need to tackle this. Get used to prioritizing your workload - negotiate extensions to deadlines if necessary - and make yourself leave the office on time at least 3 nights a week. One night of a lot of work can free up your other days.  Do not procrastinate – you have the control by doing and asking... Valid reasons for needing more time do not go unheard!  Remember the other 4 steps and take control of your life and your work – by not making work your life!