Based on everything I have read and observed it is safe to assume that most people don’t like their jobs or at least have a “work to live” mindset. Work is something they must do rather than something they enjoy doing. I encourage you to challenge this thinking and seek out the good in your work and in the people, you work with. After all, you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time at your job, so why not try to make it more enjoyable? Here are some simple tips about how to set a positive and proactive tone for each workweek:
- Set the alarm clock a few minutes early and allow yourself more time to wake up and ease into the morning – don’t start the day by rushing out the door
- Take some deep breaths and stretch for a few minutes when you first get out of bed
- Have a hearty and healthy breakfast, remember food is fuel
- Listen to upbeat positive music and avoid TV or radio shows that tend to bum you out or make you angry
- If you are fortunate to live with family or other loved ones, give everyone a big hug before leaving and wish them a good day
- Factor traffic into your travel time and give yourself a time buffer
- While driving to work think about all the good things that happened the previous week.
- Try and get to work a bit earlier and have a cup of coffee, tea, or water to help you get settled and ready for the day
- Spend a few minutes thinking through your top 5 priorities for the day and any required action items
- Tackle your most challenging tasks as early as possible to put them behind you and don’t procrastinate
- Take a few minutes several times a day to exchange pleasantries with co-workers and give them positive energy
- Avoid or redirect co-workers who are complainers and negative influences
- Look for opportunities to laugh and to make others laugh
- Make sure you take your full lunch break and if possible, go outside and get some fresh air
- If you are having difficulties or conflicts with a co-worker, try and hash it out in a mature fashion rather than let it escalate or linger
- Before leaving work take a few minutes to debrief on how the day went
- Try not to plan or schedule anything right after work that forces you to rush out the door at the end of the day
- If possible, exercise for a few minutes before dinner
- Do your best to eat a healthy and well-balanced dinner
- When you get home, leave work at work, and focus on being the best husband, dad, sibling, and friend you can be
- If you live alone, call someone you care about and check in with them
- Don’t be a couch potato in front of the TV, do something constructive with your downtime
- Go to bed earlier than usual and make sure you get your rest
I guarantee you that if you use the above list of tips as a checklist for your workdays, you will begin to feel better at work. Remember, you don’t have to dread Monday mornings or your workweek, it is a conscious choice. In addition, if you are perpetually unhappy, find another job.
Related articles
- Start Your Day Off Right (capacity-building.com)
- You Set The Tone In Your Organization (capacity-building.com)
- Starting the week (endlesslyrestless.wordpress.com)
- Motivated Monday (staceymcbride.wordpress.com)
- Developing the right working habits and attitudes (admissionjankari.wordpress.com)
- How to be a Positive Influence In the Workplace (verigentllc.wordpress.com)