How to Be Positive in the Workplace
The people you spend time with can have a huge impact on your outlook. Because you spend a lot of your time with your coworkers, it’s only natural that their mood can have an effect on your own; and your attitude can change the atmosphere in your workplace as well. In this article, you can learn how to be an asset to any workplace by using your positive outlook to work as a tool to enhance your career.
How to be positive in the workplace
Although it’s inevitable that you will have the odd off day, there are ways to help yourself stay positive while you’re at work.
The following steps can help you develop a positive attitude in the workplace:
1. First, plan to be positive
It’s much easier to have a positive attitude in the workplace if you have had a good start to the day, and you can make this more likely with a little planning. Prepare the night before by making sure your work clothes are clean and ironed and that you have everything you need for the day already packed. A good breakfast or a snack for when you start to feel hungry can make a big difference to your mood, or a cup of coffee can be a great way to brighten your morning.
2. Second, give yourself a boost
Use your journey to work to charge yourself up and get into the right frame of mind for a good day at work. If you take public transport, you can read a book or listen to your favorite music on your headphones. If you drive, then an audiobook or podcast can give you the chance for some self-care. If you need a little extra injection of positivity, then you can choose a motivational text or podcast to get yourself into the right mindset to face the day.
3. Third, adjust your mindset
Instead of going into work with a sense of dread about how long your to-do list is, or the difficult task that you just don’t want to do, try changing the way you think. Imagine your to-do list as a list of accomplishments for you to cross off and psyche yourself up to doing that tricky task by imagining how good you will feel when it’s done. If you imagine your day going well, you are more likely to make it happen.
4. Fourth, build yourself a routine that works for you
Having a routine might sound boring and predictable and likely to get you stuck in a rut, but routines can be a great way to keep yourself positive. The key is to have a system that works for you, even if that means the routine has to be pretty flexible and varied. Routines prop up our lives to allow us to be more creative without having to worry about getting the basics done. For example, a good morning routine is often the key to leaving the house calmly and with everything you need. Implementing a routine can make a big difference with your efficiency. Find what works for you and get into the habit of using routines when you need them.
5. Fifth, don’t get sucked into negativity
You may be feeling good about your day, but colleagues who are complaining or constantly negative can drag you down. Try to limit the time you spend with coworkers who don’t contribute to your positive mindset and focus on like-minded colleagues who enjoy their jobs and are interested in more balanced conversation. If you are stuck working closely with people who are unhappy at work, try not to get involved with any negative chat. Go for a walk and take a break from it all, even if that means avoiding the breakroom when they are there.
6. Sixth, be nice and nice things will happen
Being nice to someone else doesn’t just make them feel good, it makes you feel good too. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, but helping a colleague out when they need it, paying someone a compliment or just smiling at your colleagues and greeting them warmly can help create a positive working environment.
7. Seventh, make happiness happen
Build some time into your workday to treat yourself kindly. Take a break from your work and give yourself a few minutes to release any negative energy or stress. A quick walk outside is ideal, but just reading a book or listening to music for a few minutes can give you a completely new perspective on your work and help to stimulate your creativity. Plan weekly and monthly treats into your life as well so that you know you always have something to look forward to.
8. Eighth, don’t let work get you down
If there are some aspects of your job that you find consistently frustrating or disheartening, then you can practice reacting more positively. Choose not to take it personally when a client requests changes or if a customer complains. By preparing to feel better when you are confronted with adversity, you will be more likely to manage the situation positively when it arises.
9. Ninth, give yourself goals
Most people have targets set for them at work, but these goals are ones you set yourself. Giving yourself something to work towards is a great way to maintain a positive mindset. Having a plan to move from where you are to where you want to be can make it a lot easier to accept a difficult situation.
10. Tenth, fake it till you feel it
It’s not always easy to be positive, particularly when things are tough. If you’ve got something on your plate that you’re dreading, smile anyway, act as though you’re excited and you might just start to feel better about it.
Employees who make life more pleasant at work will always be noticed. It only takes a couple of people to mention that they enjoy working with you to get your name known as an asset to your team. When it comes to promotions, managers want people who will work well with others and be easy to collaborate with, so a positive approach will always work in your favor.