Since you spend so much time at work, it's a real drag if you're miserable the whole time
you're on the clock. Do you need to love your job? It would be great if
everyone could get paid to do what they love, but until you can achieve
that elusive goal, what can you do to make the 9-to-5 more pleasant?
What can you do to be happier at work?
Finish the drudgery first. Whatever you dread every day, get it done as soon as you can so that you don't need to worry about it the rest of the day. In general, try to organize and plan your time to suit your own needs. It's not always possible, but sometimes, handling the little things that you hate can make the day a little easier to get through.
Stop complaining about what you can't change. It's easy to get caught in a rut and to complain ad nauseam about a colleague who's not pulling her weight or a boss who should have been let go in the last downsizing. However, complaining about things you can't change only contributes to your misery. Don't give in to the temptation to drone on and on about the negatives; instead, focus on what you can change, and spend your energies there.
Make friends at work. There's no question that everything is better when you have a friend in your corner. You don't need to be "besties" with everyone at the office, but having one or two colleagues who are always happy to go to lunch or catch a quick coffee can make all the difference.
Finish the drudgery first. Whatever you dread every day, get it done as soon as you can so that you don't need to worry about it the rest of the day. In general, try to organize and plan your time to suit your own needs. It's not always possible, but sometimes, handling the little things that you hate can make the day a little easier to get through.
Stop complaining about what you can't change. It's easy to get caught in a rut and to complain ad nauseam about a colleague who's not pulling her weight or a boss who should have been let go in the last downsizing. However, complaining about things you can't change only contributes to your misery. Don't give in to the temptation to drone on and on about the negatives; instead, focus on what you can change, and spend your energies there.
Make friends at work. There's no question that everything is better when you have a friend in your corner. You don't need to be "besties" with everyone at the office, but having one or two colleagues who are always happy to go to lunch or catch a quick coffee can make all the difference.
Give compliments. Look for opportunities to tell other
people what they're doing well; it will make their day, and will give
you a boost, too. Plus, you never know: If you begin to pass around
kudos in the office, it can affect everyone's mood and perhaps improve
the overall office culture. Don't fall victim to the myth that you can
only help improve things if you're a supervisor or have authority; take
initiative and you could really make a difference for your colleagues.
Keep track of good things. Every time something happens at work that makes you happy, make a note. Maybe it sounds a little corny, but if you can remember the good times, it could help make the challenges easier to overcome.
Take breaks. There's nothing worse than sitting at your desk, staring at the computer all day long. It's bound to make you feel draggy and depressed. Get up and move around. Stretch, take a walk, go find a window and check the weather. Daydream a little. Mental and physical breaks can make a difference in your day and make you feel better, no matter what else is going on. Give yourself the opportunity for a new perspective and you may see a difference in your day.
Keep track of good things. Every time something happens at work that makes you happy, make a note. Maybe it sounds a little corny, but if you can remember the good times, it could help make the challenges easier to overcome.
Take breaks. There's nothing worse than sitting at your desk, staring at the computer all day long. It's bound to make you feel draggy and depressed. Get up and move around. Stretch, take a walk, go find a window and check the weather. Daydream a little. Mental and physical breaks can make a difference in your day and make you feel better, no matter what else is going on. Give yourself the opportunity for a new perspective and you may see a difference in your day.
Reward yourself. If no one else is paying making a
point to recognize and reward your efforts, create your own system of
rewards and treats. After you finish a particularly onerous task well,
do something special for yourself.
Find something redeeming about your job. Even if you really don't like your job, or the people you work with, try to find some redeeming features about how you spend your time. Think about how you can be even better at what you do.
Make plans. Think about what's next. Especially if work doesn't make you happy, begin to plan how you're going to transition to something new. Review job descriptions and decide what you're most qualified to do. (Don't conduct your job search at work, though!) Start to plan how to add the skills and experiences you don't have on your resume. Update your resume. Plan how to expand your network and consider if it may be time to change careers. The more plans you make, the easier it will be to influence a change in your work life.