By Karen E. Mosier – Reprinted with permission. Originally printed in CARA Connection Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 1 January 2018
I like to keep a positive attitude at work. It isn’t always easy to maintain a positive frame of mind amid the daily stressors of a busy workplace. Being unhappy is not only bad for our health but it is also detrimental to our productivity.
Here are some strategies to keep a positive attitude at work:
- Make friends with your coworkers
- Bring headphones and listen to music to tune out negativity
- Take your breaks
- Treat your coworkers with respect
- Improve your assertiveness skills
- Make a list of all the positive aspects of your job
- Talk about what works instead of what does not work
- Check with coworkers to see if you can switch tasks that you enjoy less
- Report problems quickly and professionally
- See problems as an opportunity to work on your communication skills
- Identify negative thoughts and think about whether or not they are actually justified
- Seek out the positive people in your office to boost your mood
- Leave for lunch to have a break from the office
- Set goals for yourself
- Do something nice for others
- Keep a daily list of things that you are thankful for
- Keep images and sayings around your desk to remind you about what really matters
- Work on your overall stress levels e.g., meditation, yoga, stretching, walking, running
- Learn how to leave your work at work
- Pursue personal interests outside of your job to make you feel relaxed
- Spend time with family and friends
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Be friendly and remember to smile
- Reward yourself to keep you motivated
- Remember that a job is just part of your life
- Work toward a new job that you might enjoy more and explore new options
Are stressful tasks and challenges at work getting you down? Are deadlines and obstacles making you feel fatigued and frustrated? By implementing a couple of these strategies, you can boost your morale and brighten your spirit while you are on the job to make your weekday more pleasant.
REFERENCES
ASPA (Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association) 