How Your Elementary Years Can Come In Handy During Your 9 To 5 Work Life
Remember how much fun school used to be before work and bosses and deadlines? Sure, you had teachers and homework due, but if you failed a test, it wasn't the end of the world. Now, if you mess up at work, there are actual consequences.
Life is nothing like it used to be, but there are still ways you can incorporate a little grade school flair into your everyday routine. Read on for some tips and tricks from grade school to help you survive the 9 to 5 grind:
1) Recess
As a kid, the one thing you looked forward to the most was recess. It was a time when you were free to run around and not worry about direct supervision. What's the grown-up equivalent of recess? Lunch.
Take it; enjoy it; bask in it. You may be tempted to eat at your desk or work through lunch, but resist the urge! Everyone needs a little time out from under the microscope, even if it's only half an hour.
2) Extracurricular Activities
Remember extracurricular activities? One of the best parts of being in school was the chance to pursue leisurely interests just because. You have the same opportunities professionally; you just need to find them.
Join a local networking organization for others in your field or participate in company fundraisers. Were you on prom committee in high school? Offer to help plan the company's holiday party.
These are things your boss will actually encourage you to devote time to during the day, and they can help you gain the rough equivalent of school pride for your job.
3) Field Trips
You should jump on any opportunity to get out of the office, the same way you jumped at any opportunity to get out of school. Class trip to the world's largest ball of yarn? Count me in!
In the same way, go to conferences, volunteer to run errands or ask to meet a client at his or her office if possible. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and when you're on the 9 to 5 grind, you and the office could use a little break.
Take an excursion, listen to music on the drive and enjoy having a nice change of pace.
4) Gym Class
I have to admit, I was never a big fan of gym class. Ironically enough, I'd now give anything to have an hour each day where I am left alone to do physical exercise.
So what can you do while you're at work? Try going for a walk. If you can't, try doing exercises while sitting in your chair. Get up and take a stroll around the office, or take the long route to the bathroom.
It's not the ideal situation, but it'll keep your mind busy and give you some much-needed movement after sitting at your desk all day.
5) Arts And Crafts Hour
This is another case of limited resources, but you can still get creative! Work on that paper clip tower or put together a flipbook. Try out a new paper airplane design so you can have killer aim like this guy.
Either way, just make sure to destroy the evidence at the end of the day or take it home with you.
6) Pranks
Nothing will ever top the senior prank you planned for four years that probably involved livestock running throughout the school and unseemly items being hoisted on the flagpole, but you can still keep up your pranking skills with some little jokes here and there.
Just make sure you prank your coworker and not your boss, and be careful of starting a prank war!
7) Saved By the Bell
By the time the end of the school day hit in grade school, you were ready to jump out of your seat and sprint to the door. Set a bell for yourself at work, and unless there's an emergency, be out by that time.
Then, disconnect. The work will still be there in the morning, and you'll get through the day much faster when you know there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Hopefully these tips and tricks help you get through your workday a little easier. Don't worry; you've been perfecting these skills since grade school. You're already a pro!
