You should always love what you do.
If you're passionate about your job and you have fun while you're there, then it's not actually work. But there are days where you roll out of bed and automatically think about things like bills, or your nosy neighbor and their dog and you just don't feel like being a ray of sunshine. Fear not!
Here are seven things you can do to put your home problems aside and focus on bringing your A game to work:
1. Leave your personal problems at home.
I know if I carry around the burden of what's happening at home, I'll end up being less productive and more distracted at work.
Before going to work, do something that makes you happy -- working out, taking a long, hot shower, having two cups of black coffee while eating whole wheat toast and mashed avocado or hitting the snooze button once... or three times.
I like to do whatever I can to put myself in a good mood before heading out for my workday. And on the way to work I'm blasting my favorite tunes and singing to my imaginary crowd.
2. Smile at everyone.
You know the saying, “It takes 17 muscles to smile and 42 muscles to frown?" Well, it's totally false.
However, I smile anyway because when I smile long enough, my mood actually starts to pick up. I can't think of any time where someone smiled at me and I didn't smile back. It's an automatic reaction.
So if you need a quick pick me up at work, just start smiling. Think about something funny, and soon enough, you'll feel the corners of your mouth start to curve up.
3. Don't skip out on break.
“If you treat your body well, it'll be good to you.”
To keep my energy levels up, I skip the junk food from the vending machine and pack my own lunch. Junk food is filled with sugars, preservatives and tons of salt which don't do well for your body.
Make sure to have lots of nutritious food like fresh fruits and vegetables, a healthy-sized portion of protein and plenty of water to recharge for the rest of the work day.
4. Get some fresh air and sunlight.
During my breaks, I like to step outside for some fresh air and vitamin D.
Vitamin D helps keep bones strong, while sun exposure, in general, can help increase serotonin in the brain, which can be a mood booster and make a person feel more focused and calm.
5. Don't overwhelm yourself with work.
Although employers always encourage their employees to multi-task, there have been claims it's actually counterproductive.
So instead of trying to finish all your work at the same time, make checklists and focus on one thing at a time. This will help ensure your work is 100 percent, and not just a rushed mess to get everything done.
This will also keep your stress levels low, and your work flow on point.
6. Organize your work station.
I know I can't work if my desk is cluttered has too much going on. It makes things look too hectic, which stresses me out.
In the mornings and throughout the day, make an effort to organize your work station as you go. Put things back after you're finished with them, and check off your to-do list to indicate you're finished with a certain task.
7. Recall positives from throughout the day.
After the workday is done, even if it wasn't the best day, I like to think of at least three positive things that happened. It's nice to know I made some kind of a difference each day, no matter how big or small.
Remind yourself why you do what you do, and why you love doing it.
