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Mentorship October 10, 2016
Now you don't have to dread coming in to work every morning.
When you imagine your dream workplace, what comes to mind? A walking desk or a yoga ball instead of a chair? Co-workers who could be straight out of “The Office”? What about rockin’ your own personally designed corner office?
Whatever daydream pops into your head, they all probably have one factor in common: Your ideal office is a place where your ideas are appreciated and you feel emotionally comfortable. It is a space with positive energy that helps you work like crazy without going crazy!
So what can you do to get the positive – and productive – workspace of your dreams? Here are five tips to make your office positively amazing!
Remember back in high school when you had to sit in the same drab classrooms for hours at a time?
Don’t make your office a blast to that boring – and even harmful – past! Instead, dress up your office space and prepare to reap the many benefits.
You can probably guess office decorations can make your work a more fun, cozy place that triggers a smile every morning when you walk through the door. But according to The Association for Psychological Science, if you surround yourself with personal effects, especially when in a public work setting, you’re less likely to be distracted.
So whether you’re rocking a cubicle or your own corner office, don’t forget to add your own personal style to your home away from home!
If you read “The Giving Tree” as a little kid or fell in love with Groot from “The Guardians of the Galaxy,” you probably already know that plants can trigger a smile.
When it comes to the workplace, though, many types of different low maintenance, low-light plants can actually help with your productivity. Trendy plants like aloe, succulents, spider plants and jade have been shown to lower stress levels and increase focus – not to mention, they can add a splash of color and inspiration to any office desk!
Rihanna’s hit song, “Work,” may be more applicable to office life than you think! In fact, much like plants, music or ambient noise has been shown to improve concentration and lighten moods.
There is a little bit of fine print, though. If you want to be productive, you probably should turn off the screamo or any music featuring loud, banging noises. Music with lyrics have also been shown to be too distracting.
To get into your working rhythm, instead, try jamming to music with background beats or smooth rhythms. These not only tend to encourage creative thinking but can also ease the monotony of repetitive assignments.
Through yoga or meditation! Whether you’re a professional yogi or you can barely touch your toes, you should take advantage of the benefits that taking a mental break at work can bring.
A study by Ohio State University found that workers who took 20 minutes to practice meditation or yoga at their desk every day for six weeks reported feeling less stressed and more aware of their stressors.
The next time you start saying, “Umm,” because your brain is shutting down, try taking an “Omm” break instead!
To get the most out of your workspace, share the positive spirit with your coworkers.
Not sure how to transform the Negative Nancy of your office? According to Forbes, you can start with a simple email. If you’re a manager, send out a daily email recognizing someone’s good work. If you’re a regular worker bee, send an email to your co-workers every once in a while if you notice that they’ve completed an important project, hit a monthly goal or even made the best pot of coffee you had in weeks.
The bottom line is to make sure everyone feels appreciated – and hopefully, those same good vibes will cycle back to you.
Wherever you work, one fact is universally true: You deserve to be in a positive environment that encourages you to be your most productive, confident self. With these five tips, you have the power to easily make a difference in your professional life.
