During the dreary days of January and February, when the holidays are well behind us and the excitement over New Year’s resolutions has worn off, it’s easy to lose your positive outlook at work and even at home. The lack of sunlight and the cold days are enough to leave anyone a little down.
While you don’t need to be Susie Sunshine every moment of the day, keeping a generally positive outlook is a valuable trait for employees. It tells your boss:
- I’m ready to make difference every day.
- I’m approachable and engaged in the matters at hand.
- I’m open to new ideas and ready to help implement them.
And at home, well, you know how it is – so goes one family member, so goes the household. Without a little positive energy, suddenly everyone’s eating donuts for dinner and watching too many hours of Netflix. (Not that we’ve ever done that …)
Ready to get back your positive energy? Here are five easy ways to buck up over the next month.
- Ask Yourself a Question
Will the thing you’re stressing out over matter to you in a year? If the answer to that is no, then it’s time to take a deep breath and let the issue go. You can’t control everything, and if you let the smaller things slide, you’ll be a happier person.
- Volunteer
Seeing people who are less fortunate than you are can give you a fresh perspective on your life. You may realize that, while things aren’t perfect, at least you have your health or your home or your family. We personally enjoy serving at the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, but you can find other ways to get involved that suit your personality and help remind you of your blessings.
- Make Peace With Your Mistakes
Guess what? Everyone makes mistakes. There’s literally no one who hasn’t. If you beat yourself up over them, you can develop a negative outlook. It’s smarter to learn from those mistakes, thinking critically about the situation to figure out how you could have done better. This will help you for the next time you make a choice, whether it’s a hiring decision or a personal one.
- Laugh a Little
No, you shouldn’t spend the whole day watching cat videos on YouTube, but if you can’t shake a bad mood, watching one for five minutes won’t hurt. You’ll distract yourself and lift your spirits with a laugh. Then tackle your work with renewed vigor.
- Slow Down
Have you ever noticed how, when you’re feeling rushed, you also tense up and lash out? Plan extra time into your day so that you’re not rushing everywhere. If you’re not yelling at your kids because they’re already late for soccer practice as soon as you walk in the door, you’ll feel a lot less stressed and a lot more positive.
Want more ideas for staying positive at work? Follow us on Twitter (@SGConsulting_PA), where we’ll share positivity tips every Wednesday in February.