Many of us have to work to earn a living. We need money to cover our overhead and responsibilities, hopefully we have some left over for a few treats and incidentals along the way. Earning enough in the best way we can may well be the foremost concern on our minds.
Very often we feel compelled to compromise when it comes to our work; We may take on a role we don’t particularly like, feel compelled to humor a difficult boss, travel long distances, maintain unsociable hours to keep our job. For a while this may be a necessary negotiation, it is vital to be able to keep the different areas of our life afloat.
Some days will be better than others, so what makes a good day at work?
– Someone smiling as we walked through the door. it can lift our spirits, especially if, before we get to work, our day has already been quite stressful. I remember one of my clients who ran a large call center. His mission at the start of each work day was to identify the most exhausted member of his team, then go and sit down and chat with them until they started smiling. That simple action made everyone’s day better.
– Planning the day ahead. it can be a good way to make sure we start each day in the right frame of mind. Unexpected challenges or opportunities can sometimes arise, but having a to-do list can provide structure for our efforts.
– When we achieve what we propose It’s always a good day at work. That may be because we have done something we know we are good at. We can relax as we like to do exceptionally well. Yes, there is the stress of doing a good job, especially if we are considered experts in our field. There is the motivation to excel and not let ourselves down, but when we are comfortable with the required skills, we can enjoy doing those tasks. Also remember to congratulate yourself on what you accomplish.
– Feeling that there is some flexibility to adapt to new demands, emergencies and opportunities can help us manage stress and have a good day. It is important that we are not working at full capacity all the time. Being able to adapt whenever an unexpected or attractive new request arises can bring an enthusiastic and motivated feeling to the day.
– When we have been significantly challenged and come out ahead, maybe you had to pick up new skills and go deeper, it can really boost our confidence and self-esteem. Doing something we’re not sure about, maybe being new to a task, means we may have to learn something in stages, go through some kind of training. Practicing, challenging ourselves, making mistakes, getting out of our comfort zone can be uncomfortable at first, but it can lead to a good day at work in the end. Then we can start to feel better, more competent, having accomplished something unexpected.
– Have you ever put off doing something that you dread or don’t like? This can affect your health and well-being, as those tasks are unlikely to go away on their own. Once you start tackling them, you can build a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Most of us have jobs that we are not very eager to tackle; administration and accounting definitely top my list. But doing a little each day or allocating a particular time each week to stay on top of those tasks can make for a good day at work. This helps you better manage stress, which supports your overall health and well-being.
– Appreciation can be an important component to have a good day at work. Someone perhaps heard our suggestions and took them into account or realized how hard we’ve worked and has given us the recognition and credit it deserves. None of us can fully appreciate the effort and sacrifices someone may have made in performing a task for us. Gratitude and a simple acknowledgment show good manners and can make a significant difference in everyone’s day.
– Quality interactions with others. they’re also important, especially for those who work from home, where they can sometimes go days without seeing a friendly face. It’s important to set aside time to get to know others, perhaps through networking or by scheduling a coffee or short break to catch up and discuss challenges and experiences. Be sure to strengthen your relationships with friends and colleagues, as well as at home, by meeting people who like you, are supportive, and are interested in talking about you in a non-work-related way.
A good day at work can have many elements. Doing a good job, in which you deliver what your customer or client is looking for, perhaps anticipating their needs and being recognized as skilled, perhaps even an expert, is certainly a positive way to go. It is also important to invest in your relationships both at work and at home, thus establishing a good support network around you.
Don’t forget to leave some time away from work for yourself, time to indulge in your hobbies and interests, read a book, or just sit and enjoy a coffee doing nothing. That also helps make your day at work an even more fulfilling and positive experience.