It’s Monday, folks, and while some may be groaning and grumbling their way through the day, we’re taking a look at the bright side at The Focus Group and focusing on ways to make your M-F more enjoyable and productive. Where we may all agree that Friday is our favorite day of the work week, here are our “3 B’s” essential to keeping a smile on your face at work — every day of the week!

 

1. Be positive.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

Okay, so the whole “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” advice may seem a little cliché, but when it comes to being motivated and successful at work, attitude means everything.

Through failures big and small, it’s important for businesses and individuals alike to be resilient and look for positive solutions to any challenges that arise, rather than dwell on past disappointments.

Of course it’s easy to get stuck in a Monday rut (or Tuesday, or even Wednesday), but negativity breeds more quickly than bunnies. It’s not only important for you to keep up the optimism for your own well being, but for your coworkers’ as well.

And speaking of coworkers, that leads us to our next hint to workplace happiness:

2. Back each other up.

“Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.” – Booker T. Washington

Positive reinforcement is a powerful thing, and even just a few words of encouragement to a colleague can make all the difference in his or her work performance. Offices that work as a team, offer constructive criticism and avoid playing the dreaded blame game maximize their potential for success on a daily basis.

By showing gratitude and giving credit where credit is due, businesses foster creativity and motivate employees to do their best work. A supportive environment also helps get newbies to the job settled in more quickly.

3. Breathe.

“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” – Teddy Roosevelt

In the advertising realm in particular, we tend to forget the most basic necessity of them all — good ole oxygen. So before you drown in your mile-high stack of papers/inbox full of emails, remember that it’s okay (and highly recommended for your health) to come up for air every once in a while.

Step outside for five minutes, take a 10:30 a.m. “lunch,” even do those yoga breathing exercises your college English professor forced you to do in the middle of class back in the day. If you intend to make it through every hectic, overwhelming, high-stress day, you’re going to need a break eventually. Recognize your limits and work with your colleagues to minimize office tension during busy periods.

There you have it! So go forth, and if all else fails, rest easy knowing this Manic Monday is coming to an end.

Until next time,
Mara Joffe
Blogger