Are you a victim of the 9 to 5 grind? Do you find it hard to enjoy your job and the people you work with. Enjoying your job can definitely be tough, but we've got you covered. Today on the OFD blog we'll provide you with 6 great ways to initiate change and improve life in the office. If you're ready to start enjoying your job more, you're in the right place.1.) Collaborate With Coworkers
First things first, you need to create a team vibe that's built to last. If you avoid interacting with your coworkers, this is impossible to accomplish. To enjoy your job more, you've got to build quality relationships. This all starts with collaborating. Don't be shy in the break room. Strike up a conversation in the boardroom. Ask a few coworkers out to lunch. You can even plan an after hours gathering on the weekend to get to know your teammates better. All of these simple activities will help you improve morale and built friendships that will help you enjoy being at work with people you've actually taken the time to get to know.
2.) Take Short Breaks
As you sit and work for hours on end, discomfort and fatigue start to kick in. Needless to say, it's hard to enjoy your job if you're trying to stay awake and can't get comfortable in your office chair. Simply taking a 5 to 10 minute break once an hour will help. Stand up and walk away from your desk. Go grab a drink of water and stretch out your muscles. Just being away from your computer screen will allow your eyes to relax and readjust. You'll return to your workstation refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the next hour.
*If you can't take a short 5 to 10 minute break once an hour, you can still improve operational comfort. Take the time to get to know your office chair and it's adjustment capabilities. You can even invest in a height adjustable desk surface attachment that avoids the need for extended sitting sessions that result in fading posture habits and fatigue.
3.) Reduce Stress
This ones a biggie! If you're stressed by corporate tasks and a full sized work load, it's very hard to enjoy your job. You need to find ways to relieve and even prevent stress from rearing it's ugly head in the first place.
First things first, you need to be comfortable. If you're fighting discomfort in the workplace, you'll be more susceptible to stress on a daily basis. As previously mentioned, you need to get to know your office chair. Take the time to learn about how it can improve your posture with it's adjustment capabilities. You can even take things a step further by investing in user friendly ergonomic computer accessories that prevent stress by reducing physical strain. A dual monitor arm, articulating keyboard tray, foot rest, and desktop riser should all be considered.
Once you've got your chair features down you'll be able to adjust at a moments notice to ensure proper support. Next you'll want to asses your personal work day and the things that cause you the most stress. Can they be avoided? You're probably thinking no. But have you tried? Often stress can be caused from procrastination and a feeling of helplessness in the workplace. Rest assured, talking about your issues with a trusted family member or coworker can help. You might even try a few breathing exercises.
When stress levels are high, productivity levels suffer. If you're feeling stressed, stand up and walk away from your desk. Walk outside and get a little fresh air. This is where strategic planning comes in!
4.) Strategic Planning
A little strategic planning goes a long way. When you arrive at the office, don't just jump into your daily tasks without a plan. Take a few minutes to strategically plan your day. Make goals for yourself and cross them out one by one as you're knocking them out of the park. A good plan will help you stay on track. As you tackle your daily goals and mark them off your list, you'll feel an energy boost and sense of accomplishment that has you more at ease and less stressed.
You can take strategic planning a step further by plotting out your major assignments on a calendar. Trying to remember everything you need to do for the month will have you making mistakes and fighting a headache. Do your best to plan ahead by organizing your monthly events, projects, and activities.
5.) Eat Healthy
You've heard it before. You know it's important. But are you actually eating healthy? A greasy burger and fries won't have you feeling energized after lunch. On the flip side a bowl of fruit and a salad just might give you the edge you need to enjoy your job for the remainder of the day. The same principles hold true before you even arrive at work. Skip the pancakes and bacon and eat some yogurt. If you commit to healthy eating you'll see improvements in both your home and business life.
6.) Master Your Craft
Last but certainly not least, you'll enjoy your job more if you master your craft. You know that feeling of being uncomfortable when you start a new job? It simply comes from being unfamiliar with your role. This problem can be solved with hard work and dedication. If you focus on mastering your craft, you'll be performing daily tasks at your workstation with ease. When your job becomes second nature, you'll enjoy it more. That being said, do your best to stay active and pushing yourself to learn new skills to keep things fresh.
