Too often, Monday through Friday, people open their eyes in the morning and think, “I don’t want to go to work today.” That first thought sets the tone for the rest of the day. Every second. Every minute. Every hour. They arrive to work and think, “I don’t want to go inside” and sit in their car a few minutes longer. They get to their desk and check the clock and think, “How much longer do I have to be here?” Their patience wears thin. Each interaction with a coworker or client is affected. Their motivation runs dry. Each task that must be completed becomes a chore and the finished product ends up subpar, at best. Even if you love what you’re doing, one negative thought at the beginning of each day makes you forget that. It slips your mind that you love your career; that you’re thankful to have a job.
So, what if…
You start challenging yourself to think something positive each morning when you wake up? When you arrive to work, think about having a good day before you go inside. Instead of checking the clock to see when you get to go home, check the clock to see how much more you can produce in the amount of time you have left. Every time you interact with a coworker or client, smile and be kind and attentive. Remain motivated and see each new task as an opportunity to tackle something in a big way. If you love what you’re doing, you’ll love it even more. And if you don’t love what you’re doing… you’ll start to. When you’re having a good day, it will make it even better. And when you’re having a bad day… it will do just the same.
It is important to remember that you cannot lead a positive life with a negative mindset.
In Michelle Burke’s article, Creating a Positive Workplace Culture – A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way, she writes, “How we interact at work has consequences on our well-being.” If we’re showing up with a negative attitude, not treating our coworkers with respect, and dragging our feet, we take that home with us at the end of each work day. If we’re showing up with a positive attitude, treating our coworkers with respect, and being productive, we take that home with us at the end of each work day.
On a day that seems particularly challenging at work; when it seems that every little thing that can go wrong does, I challenge you to these few things:
Ask a coworker how they’re doing and listen.
Aim to make a coworker smile or laugh with a compliment or a little humor.
If you think something nice, speak it.
Take a few minutes away from your desk and go for a walk. Try to redirect your thoughts and renew your mind.
On a day that seems particularly wonderful at work, I challenge you to do the same.
A little kindness does go a long way, whether it’s being kind to someone else or being kind to yourself. And you should always do both.
Morgan Armijo
Marketing & Office Assistant