The Daily Grind

Calling Cupid: How to Love Your Job

ThinkstockPhotos-153429186For many employees, much of their time is spent in the workplace. So, being happy in your job is a very important part of your overall health and satisfaction. But, finding that happiness isn’t always easy.

If you don’t enjoy your work life as much as you could, take some time this Valentine’s Day to fall in love with your job. To help you channel your inner Cupid, we’ve outlined eight tips below!

Set boundaries

When you want to stand out in the workplace or make a great impression on your supervisor, it’s easy to let your work bleed over into your personal life. Answering a few emails at night, or working on a timely presentation during the weekend is fine, right? Not always. In fact, setting boundaries that encourage a strong work/life balance can help you better recognize the value in your job and increase your performance. According to the Huffington Post, setting boundaries “does require that you make your work hours more productive, but by not working outside of work, you’ll get the rest you need to be energized, and get more done while you’re there!”

Recognize your value

It’s easy to think your work is lackluster if you don’t understand the benefit you provide your company, or its customers. Take some time to evaluate the positive impact your workplace has on others, and determine where you fit into that experience. For example, if you work in customer service, explore the ways in which you help customers solve problems or offer solutions. If you work in a manufacturing company, think about the end use of the products you help build. Chances are, those products add ease, entertainment, or benefit to the lives of your customers. When you can recognize the value you add to your company, or even your community, you may discover a stronger sense of purpose in your work.

 

Focus on the perks

Even if you’re truly dissatisfied with your job, there’s bound to be at least one thing you do enjoy about your work. Take a moment to list all of the things you like about your job, as well as the benefits your company offers. This may include health insurance, opportunities to volunteer, paid time off, holiday time, or other benefits. What about the company dress code? Is there coffee in the break room? Does your workplace offer a cafeteria, gym, or park? Maybe it’s your co-workers who make your day enjoyable. Whatever the perks may be, write them down and put them into perspective.

 

Eliminate boredom

If you’re bored at work, you’re probably not going to enjoy it. Instead of dwelling on repetitive tasks or projects that bring you down, challenge yourself to look for things that may bring you more joy. For example, if you’re required to perform the same series of tasks every day, try to liven up your routine. This may be as simple as getting up and walking around the office after you complete a task, or competing with a co-worker to see who can be more productive. You may also consider volunteering for new assignments and projects, if your schedule allows. This way, you can try new things and show your supervisor that you’re willing to step in when needed.

 

Grow your skills

When you allow yourself to learn a new skill, you open up a world of possibilities. Plus, you may find renewed enjoyment out of your work. Consider signing up for an educational program, joining a group in your industry, or researching trends that are relevant to your business. You could even start a group among your co-workers to read new books, present findings, or learn from each other. Chances are, the skills you learn will help you in your role, as well as reignite your passion for the work you do.

 

Find your happy place

We’ve all heard the advice to “find your happy place.” But, what does that actually mean? In short, it’s just a reminder to find a mental state that encourages you to relax, recharge, and calm down. When your workday gets stressful or you feel overwhelmed, find your happy place. It could be the beach where you last vacationed, the recliner in your living room, or the kitchen of a family member. Wherever your happy place is, create a strong mental picture and explore that image when you become bogged down. According to a Forbes article, “The very action of directing your attention away from your work opens up the door in your day for a respite, a restart, and a new view. It’s reviving and centering at the same time.”

 

Respect your clock
If you’re not prioritizing your tasks, you may sacrifice both productivity and happiness. Instead of working around the clock on the wall, learn to work around your biological clock. When you wake up and start your day, your energy levels are typically pretty high. You haven’t exerted much energy yet, and your body isn’t as tired as it may be later in the day. Use that time to tackle difficult tasks on your to-do list, and save easier tasks for the afternoon slump. This may help you prioritize your work, increase productivity, and eliminate burnout.

 

Take a break
Ask yourself this question: Do you take breaks at work? Not bathroom breaks or trips to the water fountain, but actual breaks that allow your mind and body to recharge? If you’re not taking small breaks throughout your day, you may overwork yourself, which can lead to dissatisfaction in the workplace. When your schedule allows, take a few minutes to stop what you’re doing and recharge your batteries. Simply standing up and stretching can help you refocus on your work and eliminate stress. Consider adding a reminder to your calendar that will alert you every few hours to stand up, get a drink, or take a look outside. When you find ways to relax and reconnect with your work, you may learn to love it.

 

What do you love about your job? Share your stories in the comments section below!

 

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

New Year 101: How to Handle Change

ThinkstockPhotos-510570474Of the few things guaranteed in life, change is one of them. We live in a fast-paced world that is constantly adapting—and chances are, not every change will be a positive one. In January, those changes are especially noticeable as people begin focusing on their resolutions and looking to do better in the new year. So, how do you move forward when faced with unexpected change? These four tips can help you remain focused this year.

Find the Positives

It’s easy to spot the negative aspects of change, but it’s often harder to find the positives. The truth is, most changes have both good and bad elements. Instead of focusing on the speed bumps or road blocks, try to keep the end goal in mind when faced with a new project or process. If a change to the way things are done is implemented, it was likely because a better end result is expected. Keep that in mind as you navigate through the transition.

Make Your Mark

When a change is forced upon you, it can be hard to accept. But, finding a way to become actively involved with the change can help you feel better connected to it. When you’re part of the process, you may be able to offer solutions or explain how the changes may affect your job. Try to find ways to involve yourself, when possible, or offer suggestions to those who are in charge. Chances are, change won’t seem so bad when you’re able to engage with the process.

Stay Ahead of the Game

Trends are important to all industries and are often the first indicators of changes to come. You can help anticipate such changes by staying up-to-date on trends and industry information. If you are an office assistant, for example, take some time to research what new computer programs or office systems may be coming soon. Then, anticipate how those changes might affect your work, as well as the company as a whole. Communicating what you find, as well as providing solutions for adapting to or staying ahead of trends, will help you stand out in the workplace.

Don’t Stress

We all know the importance of eliminating stress from our lives, but it’s not always easy. Often, change can induce stress, making change even more difficult. Looking for the positive aspects will help reduce the stress you may feel when encountering change, as can focusing on the things you can control. Unfortunately, when it comes to change, most things are usually out of our control, and focusing on them will do more harm than good. Learn to let go of things you cannot control, and focus instead on where you can actually make an impact. Improving your diet, establishing an exercise routine, and making time for yourself will also help reduce your stress level.

 

This year, resolve to accept that change is unavoidable. Focus on the positives, anticipate trends, find ways to be involved, and reduce your stress so you’ll be better equipped to deal with changes in your personal life and in the workplace. And remember, change may be scary at first, but it’s not always bad.

 

What tips do you have for dealing with change? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Competition and Productivity: A Balancing Act

Best and Worst Jobs 2013When you think about competition, your first thoughts probably drift to sports arenas and the like. Yet, competition also lives in the workplace. And, while competition can breed productivity, it’s important to know how to balance the two to create the best workplace environment for your company and your career.

Competition Can Increase Productivity
The relationship between competition and productivity has been studied by numerous scholars, and most agree that competition can be beneficial in producing a higher level of productivity and efficiency.

Healthy competition among your co-workers is a natural way of pushing each other toward team goals. When members of a team are competitive in an appropriate way, there’s more focus, drive, and determination to provide quality work.

Along the same lines, competition in the workplace drives efficiency. As this happens, goals are met more quickly, things get done, and the company can see profitable benefits.

Finding the Balance
For competition to create productivity in the workplace, it has to remain healthy. When co-workers become overly competitive, stress levels go up, trust declines, and the overall team can deteriorate. It’s important to find the balance between being competitive enough to drive productivity and being so competitive that you drive away anything beneficial.

Here are a few ways to help you find that balance:

  • Learn from mistakes – You will inevitably make a mistake, but when you do, figure out how to learn from it. Sometimes when competing, you may let your competitive drive overshadow the bigger picture, allowing a mistake to happen. If and when you do make an error, take time before you react. Give yourself a breather, relax, and regroup.
  • Focus on relationships – When competition becomes unhealthy, it could be due to poor relationships. You won’t always get along with everyone you work with, but you have to learn to work well with others and grow relationships with those who can help you put your energy into generating productive outcomes.
  • Be a classy competitor – Unlike the sports world, you have to continue to work with and around those you’re competing against on a daily basis. Avoid putting others down and focus on your long-term growth at that company. Let your work be proof of your determination and skill, and if anyone tries to create an unhealthy environment for competition, maintain your integrity. The reputation you build as a classy competitor will speak volumes to your employer.

Do you have any tips for balancing competition with productivity? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Apps to Keep You Organized

Mobile AppsKeeping organized is a trait that many professionals struggle with daily. Between hundreds of emails and texts, meeting requests, and last-minute assignments, it can be hard to remember to keep on top of important tasks, meet deadlines, or even finish projects.

Luckily, technology is on our side. Thousands of smart solutions exist to help you stay organized in your busy life. From organizing finances to note-taking, apps for smart phones, tablets, and desktops offer unique and easy ways to compartmentalize your life and make prioritizing less painful.

Many of the apps are free or inexpensive, and having the ability to track expenses, tasks, or projects is worth its weight in gold.

Here are a few of our favorite apps:

Evernote
Evernote is perfect for taking notes in meetings or calls. This app also allows you to attach documents, relevant information and more to keep everything consolidated for future reference. Additionally, Evernote lets you record speech right into the note, so you don’t have to worry about writing down information during meetings. It also syncs the desktop version to your smartphone or tablet.

Dropbox
If you keep work in multiple folders, Dropbox is a must. Because it’s online storage, you have the ability to work on projects from anywhere on any device. The upload feature for documents and pictures is easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about losing important information if a computer crashes or is lost. Basically, you can use any device to log into the Dropbox account to access your files.

HabitList
We all have habits we could improve on, and HabitList helps you to do just that. Whether you want to set habits like eating more vegetables or meeting deadlines, HabitList keeps you motivated by showing your trends, progress, and streaks. It reminds you of your habits with positive reinforcement and can make dull or mundane tasks a bit more fun with progress charts.

Google Now
Google Now, the “intelligent personal assistant” for iOS, Android, and desktop, organizes everything you can think of and is available 24/7. All of your work, personal information, and tasks are organized into “cards” that put your important stuff into one place without having to search around. 

Quip
This popular new virtual office app is used by giants like Facebook, Quora, and Instagram, and works as a virtual office space. You can collaborate with others on spreadsheets, checklists, and documents, as well as check in with team members or other people in your network. You can create and import documents, allow others to edit, and log on to review edits as well.

EasilyDo
This free iPhone app serves as your personal assistant by connecting your online services, like email, calendar, Facebook account and others. EasilyDo uses an algorithm to help you find things it can help you with, like add details of contacts or notify you of important dates and birthdays. Designed as a productivity app, EasilyDo helps you tackle a variety of tasks quickly.

Venmo
Need an app to help track money and spending? Venmo is a new app that allows you to transfer money and keep track of what you’ve paid. It not only reminds you to pay a client, it also shows which clients owe you a payment. This app lets you pay anyone with a Venmo account instantly using money you have in Venmo, or you can link your bank account or debit card quickly.

What are your favorite productivity apps? Share your favorite productivity and organization apps with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Try These Snacks to Keep You Focused

snacks_to_keep_focus_webAt some point during the day, nearly everyone has a hard time focusing. If you’re faced with distractions, didn’t get enough sleep, or just keep zoning out, you may need a little help staying focused on your work. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to increase your ability to focus, and all it takes is a little snack. In fact, when it comes to increasing your alertness, there are several foods you can eat to feel the difference.

Tea
If you’re not a coffee drinker, consider adding green tea to your morning routine. Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that increases alpha brain waves. These brain waves are similar to the ones that happen when you spend time meditating, so your body responds by becoming more relaxed and calm. In turn, you are more focused. For a tea with more flavor, go for peppermint tea. Studies have found that the smell of peppermint can perk up your brain by reducing anxiety and fatigue. Try sipping on these brews in the afternoon if you’re trying to avoid the higher caffeine content of coffee.

Coffee and Spices
Of course, coffee is another option for increasing your alertness. The drink is famous for its ability to perk you up and help you focus and has also been linked to other health benefits. If you don’t mind the caffeine jolt, go for a cup of coffee when you find yourself in a slump. And for an extra boost, add a few sprinkles of cinnamon to your coffee. A recent study found that the smell of cinnamon can make you feel more alert and decrease frustration.

Dark Chocolate
There’s good news for chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate has been shown to boost blood flow to the brain and stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals called neurotransmitters. That means dark chocolate may increase your alertness while simultaneously putting you in a good mood. Better yet, as little as one-third of an ounce of chocolate may help protect against age-related memory loss.

Leafy Greens
A recent study found that people who ate two or more daily servings of vegetables, especially leafy greens, had an increase in mental performance and focus that matched people five years their junior. This boost in alertness is just another reason to go for that salad at lunch.

Fresh Berries
Studies show that eating berries can boost your concentration and memory up to five hours after consumption. The antioxidants in berries increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn, makes mental tasks easier. In addition to a boost in alertness, the health benefits of berries also include a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, so try adding darkly-pigmented fruits like blueberries to your oatmeal or snack on them in the afternoon.

Water
We all know the health benefits of drinking lots of water. But, did you know that going for a glass of water can help you regain your focus? Studies show that dehydration can negatively affect your memory and brain function, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Adding a few drops of lemon to your water can improve your mental performance even more.

Avocado
Try incorporating avocado into your meals or snacks to help clear a foggy brain. Avocados contain monounsaturated fats that support nerves in the brain and increase mental alertness. Add the healthy food to your burger at lunch, or snack on chips and guacamole when you’re feeling less alert.

Remember to get off to the right start with a healthy breakfast every day. Try eating whole grains, oatmeal, high-protein eggs, or fruit and nut mixes to help you stay focused all morning.

How do you keep your focus on the job? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Peak Performer’s Life: Make More Money … Get Focused

walterbond_webIf you want to accomplish a goal, whether it’s to find a job or move up in a company, you have to focus. Staying on track and remaining diligent can help you achieve what you want in your job search or workplace, and Walter Bond has some tips to help you. As part of his series of motivational messages, Walter discusses the importance of focus.

“The only way you can grow your business, the only way you can make more money, the only way you can do something really significant … you have to be focused,” he said.

For more advice from Walter, check out the full message below.

What are some ways you stay focused in your job search, in the workplace, or in your personal life? Share with us in the comments section below.

About Walter Bond
A former professional basketball player, Walter Bond’s NBA career included 153 games with the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons. Now, Walter takes what he learned from his life on the court and translates it into motivational and educational messages for thriving businesses and careers. With entertaining and dynamic messages, Walter has spoken to companies and associations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

For more information about Walter Bond, visit WalterBond.com.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Happiness and a Good Job – You Can Have Both

happiness_at_work_webWhat are the keys to happiness in the workplace? While that answer may be different for each person, there are some factors that lead to a more satisfied workplace. According to a Gallup poll, 24% of the global workforce is actively disengaged with their jobs. Additionally, 63% of the worldwide workforce is “checked out, sleepwalking through their day, or putting time but not energy or passion into their work.” This leaves only 13% of people who are happy at work.

People who are happy and satisfied with their personal lives are also more likely to be happy with their jobs. So, how can you make your job something you enjoy? Check out the information below to help you find happiness in the workplace.

Know the Facts
To understand the current state of happiness in the workplace, take a look at these statistics:

  • Forbes states that the people most satisfied with their jobs include database administrators, quality assurance engineers, executive assistants, and recruiters.
  • According to Happify, things that affect our satisfaction at work vary for men and women. For men, it’s compensation and interest in the work. For women, it’s flexibility, workload, advancement, and the people at work.
  • When it comes to Millennials, those born between 1980 and the mid-2000s, 64% say they would choose a job they love that pays $40,000 over a boring job that pays $100,000 a year.
  • 69% of bosses are satisfied with their jobs, while only 48% of workers are. Furthermore, 39% of self-employed workers are satisfied with their jobs, compared with 28% of people who work for others.

Find Your Happiness
Thankfully, there are ways you can find happiness in the workplace. According to author Alexander Kjerulf, the keys to staying happy at work are accomplishing something that’s meaningful to you, knowing your job is important, and being appreciated. You can help others find satisfaction with their work by celebrating their successes, lending a helping hand, and offering recognition for jobs well done.

Think about what you do and try to find the meaning in it. If you work in a retail environment, you may find satisfaction through helping provide people with items they need. Or if you’re an administrative assistant, you may find meaning in the fact that you’re directly influencing the success of others. When you engage in work that feels meaningful to you, you’ll likely experience higher rates of motivation and satisfaction as a result.

The job you currently have may not be the one you want to have forever, and that’s okay. Remember to use the time you have at your job to make important accomplishments and connections with others that can benefit you in your next job.

At work, every day is not going to be easy. When you’re stuck with a challenging situation in the workplace, believe in yourself instead of getting stressed. Think back to a similar task you accomplished and remember that you are capable of accomplishing this one too. Your positivity can impact your work. In fact, according to Shawn Achor’s book, The Happiness Advantage¸ entry-level accountants who believed they could accomplish what they set out to do ended up with the best job performance ratings.

Making friends at work can also help you stay happy on the job. Studies suggest that if you have three or more good friends at work, you are 96% more likely to be satisfied with your life. To nurture friendly relationships, take some time to greet a co-worker you don’t know very well and practice random acts of kindness in the workplace.

How do you stay happy on the job? Share your tips in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.