Oh, workday mornings.
The feeling of instant dread when you hear your alarm – a tune that triggers your fight-or-flight response. The multiple “snoozes” before you finally decide to get out of bed. The hasty breakfast on a lucky day, and no breakfast on a regular one. The frantic scrambling for keys, wallet, phone, wait – did I forget my keys? Walking (or running, if you happen to have hit snooze one too many times) into the office to finally get some relief from your first of four coffees of the day. Two before lunch and two after. Speaking of which, there are still four hours till lunch. Four. Hours.
Many of our readers would have skimmed through the paragraph above and found it completely absurd. “They want us to believe people really work like that?” they’ll think to themselves. “Look at me, up at 5, and – after a jog, smoothie, and shower – at my desk at 8:45.”
Many others might relate to a hectic morning. Because let’s face it – not everyone’s office experience is bright and optimistic. A 2021 report by Perceptyx found that 50% percent of survey respondents were unhappy at work, with 34% of them showing discontentment and a lack of motivation at their job.
How do we fix this? How do we become the morning jog and smoothie kind of worker? Well, that is exactly what we are here to tackle in this article. Here are 7 tips to stay happy and motivated at your workplace.
1. Set Clear Goals
When you are taking a hike, you are following a trail to a lookout point or a waterfall. You are not walking aimlessly through the woods, hoping that you will eventually end up someplace fun.
Similarly, your professional life needs goals, and it needs paths leading up to them. These goals also need to be defined in both the short-term and the long-term, and they need to have a hierarchy in terms of priority. Only then will you be able to work towards something and have the motivation to go to your job every morning – rain or shine.
2. Personalize Your Workspace
Your workspace is where you will be spending most of your working week. This is where you will be taking calls, writing important emails, or reading reports. In short, it will be where stuff gets done. And because of that, you cannot have a boring workspace. You need to look around yourself and be instantly motivated every day.
We recommend putting up anything that drives you or makes you happy, be it a family portrait, an important certificate or diploma, a figurine, or a silly pen stand. There is no formula. It is just about keeping it fun at your job. However, remember to stay professional and tidy, as messiness could reflect on your work.
3. Take Strategic Breaks
If you start relying on lunch as your only break, you will soon realize that most of your energy is spent waiting for lunch or for it to strike 5. You don’t want that. You want to manage your energy, and for that you need breaks. You are human and humans cannot function non-stop for hours every day.
We recommend strategic breaks, wherein you alert the manager and step out of your office for a chat, walk, or snack. Do this after the completion of a big task, and you’ll realize you feel very rewarded, as if you earned every minute of that break.
4. Celebrate it All
Every win should be celebrated, regardless of whether it is big or small. Only then will you be motivated to keep performing with the sole objective of winning. Moreover, acknowledging a win boosts self-confidence, which in turn leads to more productive work.
5. There is a Life Outside of Work
Do not forget – work is not everything! Yes, it takes up a large chunk of your week, and yes, being good at what you do makes you feel proud. However, do not forget that when your hours are up, your time is yours. Go join a class, take a trip, or watch TV with friends. Do something outside of work hours to freshen your mind, so you feel charged and ready to give it your all when you are at the office.
6. Foster Friendships at Work
Who says your colleagues cannot be your friends? We believe they can! Don’t forget that these are people you collaborate on projects with, big and small. Make that process easier and more enjoyable for all by cultivating positive relationships with them.
7. Go for a Jog and Drink a Smoothie
Not literally, but you get the idea. Your body and mind are mediums for you to experience this world, and for the world to experience you. Do not let them go to waste. Taking care of your well-being should supersede your work. You can change jobs, but you can’t change bodies.
Exercise regularly, get seven to eight hours of sleep, and practice stress management techniques. Look after your diet as well by trying to avoid takeout and instead investing that money (and time) in fresh, home-cooked meals.
Investing time in restorative activities isn’t just a luxury; it’s a strategic decision that pays dividends in both your personal and professional life. After all, a happy and healthy you is the most valuable asset you bring to any endeavor.
