Know When to Call It a Day
In this age of smart phones and tablets, even if we leave the office at our regular time, work can follow us home. It’s important to know when to call it a day. Checking and responding to email at night extends your workday into your downtime. Set a boundary that you will not check email or voicemail after a certain time. If you can avoid taking work home with you, do so. Don’t stay late at the office unless it’s a true emergency. When work bleeds into all other aspects of our lives, we can quickly become burned out or overly stressed.
Practice Positivity
Positivity is a like a muscle – you have to use it and build it. One way to help foster happiness at work is to practice positivity. There will be days this is easier than others! But with continuous practice you will find yourself in a positive mindset more often than not. When we practice positivity, people respond to us positively – it creates a feedback loop. Taking the time to learn some basic skills for practicing positivity is a worthwhile investment in your own happiness.
Keep Your Interactions Positive
By surrounding yourself with positive people and limiting your negative interactions, you are already taking a major step towards practicing positivity. Find ways to keep your interactions positive. Avoid office gossip and rumors, as these feed on negativity. Avoid complaining or participating in “whine fests” as well, as these interactions focus solely on the negative. When you do need to voice your dissatisfaction with something, try to find a positive note. If you are interacting with someone who is negative, suggest a more positive spin on the situation, or simply end the interaction politely. You don’t have to become Pollyanna – simply cultivate a tendency to look on the bright side or find the positive in the situation.
Practice Gratitude
Taking the time to practice gratitude helps focus you on your blessings and the positive aspects of your day and your life. A gratitude journal is one tool used by many people as they learn to practice positivity. Take the time each day to list three, five, or ten things for which you are grateful. These can be major or minor, large or small. You can share your gratitude journal with others or keep it private. Some people like to have a list of things they are thankful for handy so they can review it on a difficult day. The continuous practice of gratitude helps keep you in a positive mindset even when life is challenging.
Until next time ...
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