The Grass is Not Always Greener
Part 2: Six ways to stay positive while combatting the workplace rut
In my last post, The Grass is Not Always Greener, I listed 3 things to consider before accepting a new job offer. But, the even bigger question is: what if you could completely shift out of the workplace funk before looking for a new job? When frustrated at work, we often think that the grass will be greener on the other side. This leads us to start straying from the herd and looking for opportunities elsewhere — not because we don’t enjoy our current job, but because we are stuck in a rut.
When stressed out and anxious at work, we begin to dis-engage. We lack motivation and, soon enough, the feelings snowball. Perhaps the job you once loved and was excited about is still there, just buried under a few layers of battle wounds.
In order to find that love again, you’ll need to re-frame your outlook.
Here are six tips to get out of that work funk:
- Recharge throughout the day — Chances are, you charge your cell phone religiously because completing daily tasks would be much more difficult without it. You should treat yourself (and your brain) the same way. Take breaks throughout the day. This will provide you with the mental clarity you need to complete the task at hand. Do something non-work related at least once every 2 hours. Give your eyes a rest from the screen. Better yet, go for a quick walk or have a walking meeting. Not only will this be energizing and boost your happiness, you’ll reap the health benefits from being active throughout the day.
- Practice mindfulness — This doesn’t mean that you have to clear your mind of all your thoughts and sit cross-legged while burning incense. Mindfullness can be as simple as sitting still and concentrating on your breath for 5 minutes. Take a deep breath in. Feel the breath go all the way through your nose, touch the back of your throat, fill your lungs and travel down into your belly. Then slowly exhale, and feel it travel back out as you expel any negative thoughts. This is meditation. Simple as that. Practicing daily meditation and mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety, as well as sharpen your concentration skills. If you can breathe, you can meditate (everyone can do it!).
- Plan and take your vacation days — In our 24/7 “always on” lives, it can seem like there is never a good time to take a vacation. And yet, vacations are an important part of performing well at work. They allow you to take time away to relax and rejuvenate. They give you something to look forward. And upon returning, you will feel re-focused and ready to get back to work. Your company will also reap benefits, as you will be more productive and inspired after taking a break. It is a win-win for everyone.
- Focus on the positives — Don’t fall prey to negativity or gossip — they spread like wildfire and will bring you down. Find something positive about your job to focus on. This can be something big or small. Do you like your work schedule? Do you have an awesome office location? Do you have insanely talented coworkers? Do you have a boss that encourages and promotes growth? Write these things down so you can reflect on them when you’re feeling blue. There are some things that you might not like (and might not be able to change), but dwelling on them isn’t going to fix them.
- Declutter your space — One of the best ways to stay positive is to declutter your workspace. We’ve already discussed decluttering mental space by practicing mindfulness. To increase energy, we must clear out as we go. Think about how you feel when your inbox is overflowing, your desk is a tornado zone and your drawers are jammed with useless papers. It may seem that there isn’t enough time to take a few minutes to straighten up. However, you are never too busy for YOU. Schedule 30 minutes on your calendar to clean up your desk space. Throw away old papers, file things you need to keep and sort your office supplies. Take the organization to your inbox and create a simple and manageable system for yourself. Keep up the daily practice by scheduling 10 minutes a day to keep things in order. If digital clutter is overwhelming you, schedule 3 times a day to clean up your inbox. Or, reduce some of that clutter by picking up the phone instead of sending an email. Turn off email alerts when concentrating on an important tasks.
- Change your routine — Albert Einstein defined insanity as, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This holds true in all areas of life, especially the workplace. Can you relocate to a coffee shop for an hour to mix it up a bit? Maybe you drive the same way to work every day — try taking the scenic route. Always finding yourself yawning in that an afternoon meeting? Schedule it over lunch or in the morning. Try taking on a new project or joining a networking group. Making even small changes can make work feel more fun and keep things fresh.
Even if you’re not in a rut, these tips can help enrich your life both inside and outside the workplace. And, if properly cared for, your grass will once again become green.
Check back later on the Greater Than collection for Part 3: The importance and benefit of having a mentor.
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