To stay happy, productive, and anxiety-free, don’t let bad work habits bring you down. They don’t make you a terrible person; usually, they’re just small behaviors you fall into due to lapses in self-awareness. Or, they may be the result of pent-up stress or job dissatisfaction. Whatever the root cause, you can take steps to eliminate habits such as:
The Sunday Blues
As the name implies, the Sunday blues start the day before you return to work for the week. If you’ve ever had them, you know them all too well: that growing seed of dread that begins midway through the day and grows as Monday looms nearer.
- Plan fun activities to fill your Sunday. Don’t defeat the purpose by exhausting yourself, but opt for doing things you truly enjoy and find relaxing. Maybe it’s a long bike ride, binge-watching a Netflix series, or spending the afternoon reading a favorite novel. It does not mean checking emails, meeting schedules, or your to-do list for the week ahead!
The Glass-Half-Empty Attitude
No one enjoys being around people who give off negative energy. Try to keep negativity and frustration out of the workplace – especially if your attitude stems from something that isn’t even job-related, such as that annoying neighbor or the argument you had with your spouse.
- Be in the moment. If you arrive at work feeling negative, the minute you walk in, take a deep breath, and consciously adopt an attitude of gratitude and helpfulness. Fill that glass!
The Amateur
There’s nothing wrong with being an amateur golfer or art aficionado. But at work? Nothing less than a consummate pro will do. Sure, you can let your guard down occasionally and have some fun. But otherwise, stay on your pro game as long as you’re on the clock.
- Act and speak appropriately. While every company culture varies in what is defined as acceptable behavior, there’s never an excuse for demeaning humor, off-color jokes, or vulgarity. If you’re not sure, put your comments or actions to the New York Times test: If you would want it printed on the front page, don’t do it.
- Be coachable. If you don’t listen to feedback to get better, you’re limiting yourself. Be a lifelong learner. When an opportunity for a promotion or recommendation arises, your name will be top of mind.
The Procrastinator
Most people today have multiple tasks, but be sure to prioritize your work. Complete the most critical tasks first and avoid missing deadlines.
- Set goals and deliverables – and write them down. Check tasks off as you complete them. Monitor your progress periodically throughout the week. By leaving on Friday with all your key duties accomplished, you can help ward off those Sunday blues just by knowing you’ll be in good shape when Monday rolls around. Or, you can make adjustments early on if you feel yourself falling behind.
Whether it means improving your current role or your reality check tells you it’s time for a job change, contact PrideStaff Fresno today. Our career coaches can help, and our job network is always in motion. We’ll help you find what it takes to make a positive, lasting impression at work and wake up looking forward to each new day.
