Let’s face it: we spend a lot of time at work. A lot of us even work more than the standard 40 hours a week. Even if you enjoy your job, it may be hard to have a good day at work for a variety of reasons. Maybe you have a boss that hovers over you and doesn’t let you work independently. Maybe you have a co-worker that complains all day, or maybe you’re dealing with difficult clients that don’t seem happy no matter what you do.
Although all of these things can ruin a perfectly good day, there are some things you can do to ensure you have a good day at work. Here are six of the best time and productivity strategies to help you have a good day at work:
1. Use a schedule at work
A hectic schedule is the surest way to ruin a good day at work. Do you have an impending deadline that’s causing you stress? The opposite of stress is action, so tackle that task first and get it done. Once you develop an effective workforce management schedule, this will make the rest of your day go much more smoothly. You’ll no longer be stressed about the deadline and you’ll feel productive.
Next up, tackle the task that takes the most time and energy. Once complete, you’ll be able to take a well-deserved break and bask in the awesome feeling of accomplishment and productivity. You want to set yourself up for success during your workday and prioritizing your work is an essential piece of the puzzle.
2. Allow for more time in the morning
How your morning goes is paramount to you having a good day at work. Don’t you find you have an easier day when you’re not starting it by rushing around? Even giving yourself 15 minutes to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea can be beneficial. This gives you some downtime to enjoy before your hectic day takes hold.
No one enjoys rushing around in the morning, so not only is it in your best interest to prepare the night before, but it’s also a good idea to give yourself more time in the mornings so you can take things slower and enjoy more of your morning. It’s all in the little things.
3. Prepare your day on the night before
A good day at work is dependent on how much you prepare in advance. Plan things so that you have a less rushed morning. Make your lunch the night before. Set out your clothes for the day the night before. Set a timer on your coffee machine so that a fresh, hot pot of coffee is waiting for you when you wake up. Empty the dishwasher the night before.
The smoother your morning goes, the more likely you are to have a good day at work. Even taking just a few minutes to prepare the night before can have a huge impact on your day.
4. Get a good night’s sleep
It’s harder to have a good day at work when you’re tired or operating on very little sleep. One of the most effective things you can do is to get a good night’s sleep the night before. Shut your phone off an hour before bed and do something relaxing like reading. This will help prepare you for sleep.
If you’re working through the evening, have a cut-off time so you can wind down in preparation for sleep. It may seem like there are never enough hours in a day, so you stay up later trying to get more done. This can be counterproductive as you’ll then be tired the next day. Be sure to dedicate enough time to sleep so that when morning time rolls around, you’ve gotten 7-8 hours of sleep and are ready to take on the day.
5. Take a work break
It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for five minutes at a time. Use this time to go for a short walk to get your blood flowing, do some stretching to avoid neck pain, grab a coffee if you need a burst of energy, or call a loved one to hear their voice.
You can also visit a co-worker to have a little chat, or go sit on a bench outside to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. If chocolate brightens your day, buy yourself a chocolate bar. Who says that you can’t have a little enjoyment while at work?
6. Focus on the positives of the day
No matter how much you prepare, work can be downright stressful. That’s why it’s so important to focus on the positive in order to have a good day at work. Did you have a bad experience with a customer, client, or co-worker? Just let it go and turn your mind toward the positive, whatever that may be.
It’s so easy to get caught up in negative thoughts and gossip. If this is how you spend your day, it’s no wonder you’ll have a bad day. A good rule of thumb is that for every negative thought, make sure to think about three positive things. If you have kids and can’t wait to get home to spend time with them, but their picture up on your desk. When you’re feeling negative, look at that picture and think about all the positive there is in your life.
