Breathing Life into Your Work Space
Work space feeling a bit dull? Let me rephrase that; is it making you feel a bit dull?
Consider if it is because every day at promptly 8:00 AM you walk in to what looks like a jail cell and your 8th grade classroom’s love child, or if it is actually because of the negative energy of Susan sh*t talking everyone in the office finally wearing on you.
OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
Is it the lack of color and all things cute? The same way you would decorate your apartment to feel like home, decorate your workspace to feel the same way. Think about it this way: if your job allowed you to work from home would you? I am going to go out on a limb here and assume the answer is yes. When we are doing the same exact job in each setting, why do we prefer a home environment? For me, it’s the comfort of home.
WORK LIFE BALANCE
Is it Susan driving you nuts? The best way to feel recharged and ready for the day is to have a healthy work-life balance; make sure you are making time for the people and activities that are making you the happiest. As we mentioned in our blog “Take Your Time Off and Thank Me Later,” mental health days and vacations are crucial for your sanity and for not getting burnt out in your current position (my 9-5 happens to be a total snooze-fest some days).
PTO
Are you in a workplace that doesn’t offer paid time off or all out of PTO (calling all small business owners)? Here are a couple of other tips to breathe in some life to the regular day-to-day until you finally take that vacation.
1) Stick to the schedule. Maybe you work 9-5 or maybe you work 11-7. Whatever your hours, don’t come in too early or stay too late unless absolutely necessary- you WILL get burned out. Whatever you do, do not check your phone after hours. For me, there has never been any good news coming from an after hours email check. Just stress piled onto the stress of what’s on the docket for the next day.
2) Take a break. If you have a set lunch break, take it. Every day. If you need more time than that or run in to a stressful situation at work, guess what? You are allowed to step away for five minutes. I usually find taking a walk is the best way to cure mid-day blues. Getting some vitamin C is proven to boost our levels of serotonin. That way we’re ready to take on the rest of the day’s tasks plus any additional curveballs your office throws at you.
3) Personalize your space. Once again, your desk/office/cubicle is YOUR space. Customize it with photos of loved ones, cute little succulents, or anything that will make you smile (unless of course your office has a policy against this and if they do, they basic). It’s important to remind yourself of what you’re working towards or working for! If you’re working hard to provide for your pet, I hope there is a picture of them on your desk. If you’re working hard to take the vacation you keep saying you’ll take, vision board it and prop it next to your computer.
Breathe some life into your work space by making it feel a bit more home-y. Take a couple of extra minutes(or a day) for yourself. Stop working unnecessary over time. Follow the tips above and work will feel less like “work.”
CONNECT WITH STEVIE
INSTAGRAM: @STEVIEWANDERS__
FACEBOOK: STEVIE.GORDON.399
