Unhappy at work? Many of us are, but aren’t quite ready to quit our jobs yet. That’s not to say you should just stomach whatever issues you’re facing at work, but a lot of challenges can actually be fixed not by looking outwards, but by making adjustments in your own altitude and perspective.
Lack of interest and lack of productivity stifle creativity and the innovative spirit of any employee. Various studies show that low morale and job dissatisfaction can actually lead to physical and mental illness. Many job-related accidents occur because of unsatisfactory working conditions.
Here are some ways you can boost your morale and productivity and beat those career and health blues.
1. Think of yourself as Autonomous
Allocate your time so that you aren’t only meeting the demands of your work but you’re also using time to develop aspects of your business that you see as necessary for your own future growth. The most useful part of this concept is that it takes you from an outwardly controlled motivation of pleasing your boss to one where you’re improving your skills for your own reasons.
2. Ask for Flexible Work Hours
Asking for certain amount of control of your time can be beneficial to not just yourself, but the business as well. Use that as an argument to negotiate some flexible working hours. Research suggests a positive association between formal- and informal flexible working arrangements and job satisfaction.
Flexible and remote working is valued highly as it allows employees to balance work and everyday life without compromising either. When employees can devote as much time and attention to their everyday life as seriously as their work, they’re able to keep a positive attitude in both arenas.
3. Change your Attitude towards your Colleagues
One of the biggest reasons people dislike going to work is that they don’t get along with those around them. You certainly don’t have to like the people you work with, but you should at least be interacting positively with them. By initiating positive interaction you invite positive reaction. If you’ve lapsed into a pattern of complaining about your job and some of the people who work there, start talking in a more positive way.
Take some interest in world news or start a new hobby so you can join in with office discussions. Talk about things you enjoy and you’re sure to find something in common with one of your co-workers. Change your attitude and you’re very likely going to change how people feel about you.
4. Stay Healthy and Comfortable
Nobody can stay focused and motivated when they’re low on fuel. It doesn’t do you any good to skip on breakfast and lunch whether it’s because you’re too depressed or too engrossed in your work to eat. It’s bad for your morale and productivity. Food and drink breaks are imperative for wellbeing and ultimately productivity.
If you can’t stomach a large breakfast, keep a few healthy snacks in your bag so that you can keep up your energy levels throughout the day. Take regular breaks too. Sitting all day hour after hour isn’t good for you and can lead to neck and back pain as well as digestive issues – more reason to feel unwell, uncomfortable and unmotivated. Taking just a 5 minute break every hour or so can have a positive effect on both your mind and body.
By the same token, if you’re not comfortable physically at work, it can affect your mood and exasperate every little disturbance. Start with the keyboard and mouse to make sure they are ergonomic. My favorite is the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard/mouse. Check that your chair has good back and neck support (if not, consider one of the office chairs thoroughly reviewed here), and finally, make sure your workspace is optimized for ergonomics.
Conclusion:
You can bemoan the fact that the corporate world isn’t treating you the way you’d like, but it won’t do you or your company any good. It doesn’t matter what job you’re currently in, self-esteem, pride in a job well done and a sense of importance are bonuses you can give yourself.
Make your own breaks. Define your goals and start working on them. If you intend staying in the job you’re in, discover ways you can improve by getting some additional training under your belt which is offered by your office and which will advance you to the next position.
If you’re feeling totally dejected because you’re in a job that brings no satisfaction, start looking on the Internet for free courses and tutorials on what you are interested in. Just having a dream of being able to move out of your office and into a job that yields a true sense of satisfaction will transform your attitude.
Employees who have lost the motivation to work hard and with efficiency harm the companies they work for. The perfunctory manner in which they do their work, no longer feeling engaged and with a waning interest, means they’re simply doing what is expected of them – nothing more.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by simply learning to find enjoyment in this work or the next.
