23 ways to make your workday a positive one

 (♥)

As we know all know well, there are a good and bad days when it comes to work. Some days are so great you can't believe you don't spend more hours at the office and others are... well... less than super. No matter what you job is and what you do or make for a living, you're bound to have good days and bad days. Lately, I've been having some pretty good work days. I've been loving my new job and I'm so happy to be where I am now. However, that doesn't mean I don't remember the days when I was struggling to make it through the day, wondering if I would ever see the clock reach 5:00pm. I know some days can be a really big struggle, which is why I sat down and thought of some ideas to make your day at work a positive one -- starting right now. 

23 Ways to Be Positive at Work   

1. Smile at someone you don't know. 
2. Strike up a non-work conversation. 
3. Call a coworker/friend to say "Hi!" 
4. Step outside for a break or short walk. 
5. Visit a favorite website (but not for too long!). 
6. Text a loved one (or two...or three...). 
7. Recall a fond or funny memory. 
8. Make a To Do list (and cross at least one thing off). 
9. Look out a window at something in nature. 
10. Go for short walk around the office. 
11. Take three deep breaths. 
12. Repeat a favorite mantra, such as "Live for today."
13. Treat yourself to a snack. 
14. Make a silly face in the bathroom mirror. 
15. Think of the last time you saw your pet/child. 
16. Read or recall a funny joke. 
17. Accept an invitation you wouldn't normally. 
18. Write a card/letter to a friend. 
19. Count to ten -- very slowly. 
20. Contemplate an upcoming event. 
21. Observe how you feel using all five senses. 
22. Go into a meeting with a huge smile. 
23. Say "Hello" or "Goodbye" to at least two coworkers. 

I know there are days when it just seems like nothing can go right and no matter how much you try to grin and bear it, things just keep getting worse. But, remember, it's up to YOU to be positive. You can choose the attitude you want to have. And if you're struggling with making the most of your workday, consider the tactics above. I guarantee if you give a few of them a try, you'll brighten your day. It may not be a perfect day, but you'll be able to transform it, ever so slightly, into a more positive one. 

How to you make the most of a bad day at work? 
What do you do to keep a positive attitude?

Comments

[Tammi Kibler]

Whenever I get stuck and can't think of a way to make my day better, then I try to find the one thing I can do to make someone else's day better. Having (and exercising) that power makes me feel more in control and better able to face the rest of the day. And if it elevates the general mood of others around me too, that's a better day for me.

[Chania Girl]

One of the things that used to keep me going (back in my other life in corporate America) was LUNCH, as in All the Girls Going to Lunch. We'd eat together most days in the cafeteria, but once every week or two we'd plan to head out somewhere. Those fabulous lunches eventually led to fabulous once-a-month GNOs. I hated my job, but I loved my co-workers.

[Marthe]

Great tips! I can really recommend smiling, you'll feel much happier!

I actually wrote a post about this here:
http://www.mausumi.com/2009/11/17/10-ways-to-make-your-work-day-lovely/

[Jarrod - Inspirational Words]

I love these! Sometimes, we have to do anything we can to bring joy to our work day. Thanks for sharing!

[positively present]

Tammi - That's a great idea! When you strive to make someone's day better, you inevitably make your own better as well. Excellent advice!

Chania Girl - Having great coworkers is really important. Even if you dislike your job, you can really make the most of your workday if you surround yourself with good people. Everyone can benefit from a lunch (or night!) out with great coworkers.

Marthe - So great that we both wrote about this! It's great that we're on the same wavelength. I'm looking forward to checking out your post.

Jarrod - Thanks! I'm glad you liked these tips! It can be hard sometimes to make the most of a bad day, but it's definitely possible and I hope these tips help others to make every day a positive one.

[Kate]

I also remember being in a job which I hated, constantly clock watching and, on occasion crying in the toilets. I can't tell you the best thing I ever did was to get out and do something I love even if, at the time, it meant a paycut - can't put a price on happiness.
I wish I had read this list years ago!
I think smiling is the best one, and making the best of everything. In a job you hate, there is always one redeeming factor, even it is just great coffee! Focus on those positive things makes the day go faster.
Many thanks,
Kate

[Topi]

When I'm feeling a bit low, at work or otherwise, performing a random act of kindness generally makes me feel better. The positive energy I get in return is usually way more than the energy I expend in performing the act, and making someone smile is a gift. I love your list!
Topi

[HappinessandWisdom]

The thing I am trying to do these days is to remember that I don't really need to be positive. Neutrality is the real secret to happiness, in my opinion. The less I assign labels to things (good/bad, positive/negative), the happier I am. The labels don't represent truth, they only represent the judgments we make. The less I judge things to be negative, the less I find negativity in/at my work. Losing the labels is an interesting exercise.....try it! One more thing -- we love your blog and have you on our blogroll -- any more room on yours for another site?!!

[Frode H]

Do not just fling out "how are you" when you meet someone. Stop, shake their hand, look them in the eyes and say, how are you, really? And listen for the response.
And making someone else happy is a great way to make your day. But point 8 is my most frequent tool.

[positively present]

Kate - Thanks so much for sharing your experience here. It can be really hard to make the most of a bad workday, but smiling, as you said, really is one of the best ways to make the most any situation that isn't ideal. And you're so right that there's almost always one redeeming quality about every day -- no matter what the job.

Topi - Random acts of kindness are excellent mood boosters and are great ways to improve not only your own day but someone else's as well. Thanks so much for the comment!

H&W - Very interesting point! I'm with you on believing that acceptance is so important. It's so difficult not to judge things sometimes, but if we can all just accept things as they are, we're actually much happier. That's a great point and I'm glad you mentioned it!

Frode - Good point! Most people ask the "How are you?" question without really caring about a response. If you take the time to really, truly listen to someone's reply you can improve your connection with that person, thus making your day a little bit better.

[J.D. Meier]

Little shifts in focus can make a big difference and positivity really is a state of mind.

[positively present]

J.D. - So true! Even the smallest change in attitude or action can have a big impact on one's day!

[Syd]

Good suggestions. I feel that when I do a random act of kindness every day, I feel much better.

[positively present]

Syd - Thanks for the comment! Glad you liked these suggestions. I agree that random acts of kindness really do make any situation or day more positive.