Wouldn’t it be nice if you could press a pause button on life when things with your job or personal life made you reach your breaking point? Imagine the satisfaction you would feel if you were able to focus on one obstacle at a time as opposed to the realistic simultaneous smattering of issues that pile up in the workplace and at home. Unfortunately, there is no magic remote control, and we all must deal with adversity from all fronts head-on. When this happens, it can be hard to remain positive, especially at work. Just think, some people see their coworkers more than family members. It is a place most frequent five days a week, for 40 or more hours. If we must spend this much time at our place of employment, we might as well be positive and enjoy our experiences. While there is no positivity playbook, there are several things one can do to stay positive in the workplace.
Number one, take a break.
As I mentioned earlier, for at least 40 hours, five days per week, you make the same commute, sit in the same cubicle or office, see the same people and often have the same conversations each morning. To say it plainly, this can become mentally draining and monotonous. Take an additional small break away from your desk or cubicle. Instead of eating in a breakroom, eat outside. Take a quick walk or get a quick stretch. A five to fifteen-minute break could help you stay refreshed.
Number two, continue personal development.
Your high school or college days may be behind you; however, this does not mean you should stop being eager to learn new things. You can read a new book, take free online courses, pick up a hobby or learn a new language. Personal development can be a small change that gives you something to look forward to and instill a bit of positivity in your work life.
Number three, do not take work home.
Many people will say that because of advancements in technology, it is easier and commonplace to have email accessible on your cell phone and the ability to remotely access your work system on a home laptop. While all of these things are true, you replying to an email at 7 pm versus 7 am the next day will usually have very little impact on things from a work perspective. Of course, there are the rare emergencies that will require after-hours time. But in most cases, leave the email unread until the morning. It's okay!
Number four, build workplace relationships.
No, this does not mean you have to find work-besties. It means, developing a positive rapport with the people you see five days per week and share close working quarters with is beneficial. If you can get along with your coworkers, it will make your work experience much easier and stress-free.
Number five, everyone makes mistakes.
You are not impervious to making a mistake, no one is. A typo in an email, being a few minutes late to a meeting, reading a document fast and forgetting a detail. These things happen to the best of us. Acknowledge your mistake, remember it, learn from it and move on. Dwelling and letting these things ruin your day or cause you to question your abilities serve zero purpose and are not productive.
Full disclosure: I am no self-help guru. I am just an ordinary, dedicated worker who also struggles with the constant balancing act of being positive while life gets in the way. These five tips are just a few of many you can try. Give them a shot, and I will continue trying to create that magic remote control.
References:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/15-ways-stay-positive-work.html
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288068
Number one, take a break.
As I mentioned earlier, for at least 40 hours, five days per week, you make the same commute, sit in the same cubicle or office, see the same people and often have the same conversations each morning. To say it plainly, this can become mentally draining and monotonous. Take an additional small break away from your desk or cubicle. Instead of eating in a breakroom, eat outside. Take a quick walk or get a quick stretch. A five to fifteen-minute break could help you stay refreshed.
Number two, continue personal development.
Your high school or college days may be behind you; however, this does not mean you should stop being eager to learn new things. You can read a new book, take free online courses, pick up a hobby or learn a new language. Personal development can be a small change that gives you something to look forward to and instill a bit of positivity in your work life.
Number three, do not take work home.
Many people will say that because of advancements in technology, it is easier and commonplace to have email accessible on your cell phone and the ability to remotely access your work system on a home laptop. While all of these things are true, you replying to an email at 7 pm versus 7 am the next day will usually have very little impact on things from a work perspective. Of course, there are the rare emergencies that will require after-hours time. But in most cases, leave the email unread until the morning. It's okay!
Number four, build workplace relationships.
No, this does not mean you have to find work-besties. It means, developing a positive rapport with the people you see five days per week and share close working quarters with is beneficial. If you can get along with your coworkers, it will make your work experience much easier and stress-free.
Number five, everyone makes mistakes.
You are not impervious to making a mistake, no one is. A typo in an email, being a few minutes late to a meeting, reading a document fast and forgetting a detail. These things happen to the best of us. Acknowledge your mistake, remember it, learn from it and move on. Dwelling and letting these things ruin your day or cause you to question your abilities serve zero purpose and are not productive.
Full disclosure: I am no self-help guru. I am just an ordinary, dedicated worker who also struggles with the constant balancing act of being positive while life gets in the way. These five tips are just a few of many you can try. Give them a shot, and I will continue trying to create that magic remote control.
References:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/15-ways-stay-positive-work.html
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288068