If there is one thing that college doesn’t prepare you for, it is stress at work. Sure, you can take all the organizational behavior courses that cover a week’s worth of lessons on workplace stress and its management, but at the end of the day, it is easier said than done. How you can enhance productivity at stressful work environment? A tough work environment can cause quite a lot of stress but stay positive is the key to reducing stress. We have gathered ten ways of being positive in the workplace can increase work productivity.
Power of a Positive Attitude on Workplace Productivity:
1. The focus is the key
The important thing is never to lose focus on yourself. Remember, your work is essential and is one of the facets that define you, but it is not worth losing yourself over. Do not try to work on all the tasks just to impress the upper hierarchy.
Focus on one task at a time and complete it. With this positive attitude, you’ll stay motivated and be able to complete more tasks with efficiency. Also, focus on setting attainable goals.
2. Build friendly relationships with your colleagues
By developing cordial and friendly relations with your co-workers, you can make your work environment more comfortable and be inviting. It is not necessary that you become close and personal with them but ensure that you exchange pleasant communication with them. Start with greeting your co-workers with a smile as you pass them.
In this way, you can also make sure to inculcate a strong team working spirit with your co-workers. That is one of the most reliable lines of defense that you will take, resulting in much better work and increased productivity. You can rely on your colleagues for support and help in your work duties and prevent excess stress.
3. Don’t drag your work home
After working for 8 to 10 hours every day, return home with a peaceful and stress-free mind. Once back, you should relax, spend time with your families and enjoy your hobbies. Do not bring your work home. Try to complete your tasks on time or schedule the incomplete ones for the next morning.
By bringing office work home, you will not feel excited and motivated to go to work the following day, which can actually decrease your work productivity. Instead, relax and refresh your mind at home so that you go to work with a positive outlook the next day.
4. Make your workplace comfortable and inviting
A nice workplace will actually motivate you to work more efficiently which ultimately increase work productivity. Whether you have a cubicle, an office or a desk in a staffroom, decorate it to feel more like home. You can bring along posters, family photo frames, and even your own coffee mug. You can also write motivational quotes on post-it notes and stick onto the walls or table. Such a working environment will help in creating a positive aura.
5. Take some breaks for better work productivity
Constantly subjecting yourself to work will exhaust you both physically and mentally. This can actually make you lose focus and decrease your work productivity. Take some breaks, maybe after every two hours. Stand up, stretch your muscles and walk around for a bit. Perhaps even go outside and breathe in some fresh air or have a snack from the cafeteria. You will return to your workstation with rejuvenated motivation and vigor.
6. Do not become discouraged with mistakes
There will be many times at work when you make mistakes and encounter failures. However, do not worry, as this happens with all of us. Consider it as a learning experience which has made you wiser. Do not become discouraged and fret too much over it. Move on and focus on performing better the next time. Work even harder to attain success which in time will increase work productivity. Also, beware of the phrases that can spoil your good relationship with your boss.
7. Reward yourself on accomplishments
You may have just completed a project or delivered a presentation; it is important to celebrate your achievements. No one is asking you to organize a grand success party of sorts, but at least treat yourself to dinner or a movie night. Rewarding yourself will create positive vibes and motivate you to work towards achieving more success.
8. Maintain distance from negative people
Every office may have some people who are spiteful and pessimistic. Try to stay away from their negative vibes as they may badly affect your work productivity. If you work in the same department with such people and interaction with them is not avoidable, then make sure not to take their negative remarks and comments seriously. Also, ensure to play your part to keep the conversations positive and encouraging.
9. Remember, YOU can make all the difference
While a company’s human resources department has a significant role to play in ensuring high work productivity, a more considerable onus falls on you as an employee to personally put effort to achieve it. This way, even if your organization is not putting in the necessary work, you are putting up a strong front that is going to get the ball rolling. You will also serve as an example to your fellow workers, who can also be inspired to put in the kind of work which results in high work productivity.
10. Make a team for higher work productivity
While most of the time, you feel like it’s your boss that is bringing morale down by being demanding, he is not the only one to blame. Just like your co-workers can make the team, they can also break one, resulting in a hostile work environment that can be difficult to operate in. Some may feel too burdened by this, but you should take this up as an opportunity to imbue the surroundings with positivity and help others out.
Often it can be challenging to get things in order when they seem nothing but stressful. It is even more difficult to muster positivity when everything seems to be falling apart. However, a little optimism goes a long way in ensuring high work productivity in a tough work environment. What do you think of this article? Lets us know in the comments!