While I do get paid to go to work, I am also happy about this responsibility. Why? Because I enjoy what I do. I even find myself talking about it quite a bit outside of work—the things I did and learned, the people I met and talked to, and sometimes just totally random observations.
I often reflect on the Bonnie Raitt song (my first concert), Angel from Montgomery, when she bellows:
I want to make sure that I always have something to say for all the hours I spend at work. I also want those things to be good and interesting things, not complaints or criticisms (which may be appropriate sometimes but hopefully not all the time).
Here are 6 ways you can begin enjoying work every most days:
1. Get sleep and make lunch:
Seriously simple but really effective! Life is pretty good when you can wake up fresh and enjoy a homemade meal with coworkers at noon. Lunch is such a good break in the day – don’t spend it driving frantically to a fast food joint, instead use this time to make friends with your colleagues. Turn driving time into laughing time.
2. Choose happiness:
Not as simple but even more essential. There are all kinds of situations that can ruffle our feathers at work but it is so key in these times to choose a positive attitude. The importance of staying positive at work is a growing segment of research which finds that not only does positivity play a role in our attitudes and daily interactions, but it also has a significant impact on the outcomes of our work.
3. Follow the 80/20 rule and take charge of your professional development:
Challenge the thought that your work life is entirely dictated by your boss. The best supervisory approach I have seen related to work balance is to have 80% of your job be the things you “have to do” and 20% be the things you “want to do”. This means at least 8 hours a week, or one day of your work week, should be spent on a project you really enjoy...something you have selected to grow a skill, express an interest, or grow your portfolio. Make a case for something you love.
4. Explore your influencing power:
Some call it sales… I like to call it influence. Either way, your work life can benefit from paying more attention to the ways in which you influence people and situations. You may not be the final authority on a situation, but you certainly have a strong perspective that is worth being brought to the table. Exploring ways to express yourself professionally increases the amount you see yourself reflected in the work you do – which will help you connect to its purpose daily.
5. Go for a walk:
How many nightly news studies do we have to hear before we all get scared to sit in our desk chairs for 8 hours a day?! Although going for a walk might not keep away the inevitability of aging or varicose veins, it might help you clear your head, work out an issue, or just take a breather. Staring at a computer monitor all day stinks. Go look at the trees!
6. Book mark things:
Many people use bookmarks, folded pages, or a highlighter to mark interesting passages in a book that spoke to them, made them laugh, or something they just want to reflect upon at a later time. Do the same with work (and life). Look for and then bookmark notable moments and then share them. Maybe it is the funny joke your coworker told or maybe it is the beginning of an idea you have that is specifically related to the work you do.
So, do it. Choose happiness. Wake up on the right side of the bed every morning and take note.
Written by Briana Malrick
This blog post is from the Author's perspective and doesn't speak for brightpeak financial. Contact brightpeak if you want to know more about brightpeak products, and keep in mind that they are not available in all states and there are some limitations (some exclusions and restrictions may apply).
