National Positive Thinking Day is this Sunday! Maintaining a positive attitude at work can be a challenge. So many emails to answer, fires to put out, and demands to meet can make keeping a pep-in-your-step difficult. But, studies have shown a positive attitude can significantly improve ones productivity, creativity, and overall work performance. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to find a way to be positive as often as possible.
Here are five tips to help you maintain a positive attitude at work:
1) Be a Good Communicator
Communication is at the heart of almost everything we do, both in our professional and personal lives. An ability to communicate successfully can drastically impact how well we work with others, how quickly projects are completed and the overall quality of work-product. The better communicator you are, the more likely you’ll avoid misunderstandings, which often lead to frustration, confusion and even anger.
One good way to improve communication is through project management tools like Glip. When collaborating with team members at work, it’s especially important to keep the lines of communication open.
2) Minimize Stress
Stress can be a killer, both literally and figuratively. Reducing stress while in the office is necessary if you hope to have a positive attitude from nine-to-five. There are many things you can do to keep your stress levels down at work; take breaks, create a calming office environment and slowing down are just a few examples.
3) Work Well With Others
Getting along with those you work with is key to a happy work place! Office politics, competitiveness, and differences in personality can make it difficult to get along colleagues. However, making a concerted effort to keep the peace will make everyone happy. Here are some recommendations for ways to stay relaxed and positive with colleagues.
4) Don’t Over Do It
Work burnout will destroy any potential for a positive attitude at work. A work/life balance is imperative to a happy life at the office. Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Keep in mind, work burnout can sneak up on you. Before you know it you’re dreading going to work, your mood suffers, and eventually your performances suffers. Therefore, it’s important to consciously work on maintaining your work/life balance, before things get out of hand. Check out these five tips to help you avoid work burnout.
5) Pay Attention to Your Mood
It’s not possible to be happy all the time. However, you do have the ability to control your mood if you’re aware of it. If something at the office frustrates you, take note and do what you can to improve your mood. In addition, take necessary steps to avoid whatever it was that put you in this frustrated mood. And, pay attention to what gets your positive juices flowing. When you know what puts you in a positive place you know what to do to improve your mood.
What do you do to keep yourself feeling positive while working? Tell us in the comments below.
Originally published Sep 11, 2015, updated Dec 30, 2022