Posted in Career Best Practices

Simple Work Habits That Will Make You Better (and Happier!) at Your Job

Looking for a way to be more successful and satisfied at work?

Start by building great habits.

The right work habits can make you more focused, productive, and efficient. The better you become at your job, the more likely you are to enjoy what you do. And the more successful and satisfied you are, the brighter your future becomes.

Want to put this virtuous cycle to work in your career? Here are X simple work habits to make you better at – and happier in – your job:

Take care of yourself.

Exercise regularly. Sedentary jobs are detrimental to your health, and exercise gives your brain and metabolism a much-needed boost.
Keep a consistent sleep schedule (research shows most people need a minimum of 7 hours).
Eat and drink healthfully. According to the World Health Organization, consuming the right foods can improve brain power by as much as 20 percent, while dehydration slows down mental processing. Make sure you block off time for refueling your body while on the job each day. Get plenty of high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and non-caffeinated fluids.

Take regular breaks during your workday.

The human brain can only focus for so long before it needs a rest. To optimize your performance (and save your sanity), check out this post that shares 5 little breaks that can greatly impact your productivity.

Seek constructive feedback.

Ask for performance feedback from your managers to:

Find out (and build on) the things you’re doing well.
Uncover and fix weaknesses or mistakes.
Send a clear message that you want to be the best at what you do.

Keep your work area clean and organized.

A cluttered workspace isn’t just uninviting; it increases mental clutter and can undermine your mood and productivity. Make a place for everything you need to do your job well – and resolve to clean up everything else. A good rule of thumb when de-cluttering: if it’s covered in dust, you probably don’t need it (but make sure to check with management before disposing of work materials).

Dress for the job you want.

Remote work has led many organizations to tolerate more casual work attire, but the way you dress influences how you feel about yourself. Dress appropriately for your job – or even a notch up – to perform better, boost your mood and even improve your confidence. You’ll send the message that you take your role seriously – and that you should be taken seriously, as well.

Choose optimism.

Regardless of what’s going on in your personal or professional life, you wake up each morning with a fresh opportunity to choose your attitude. Approach each new workday with a positive outlook – you never know where it may lead! Your upbeat attitude will be appreciated by co-workers and supervisors alike – and set the stage for long-term success in your job.

How can you turn these positive behaviors into habits that really stick?

Here are a few tips from an earlier post:

Start small. Choose one behavior you’d like to adopt.
Write your new habit down and include the ways it will benefit you.
Commit to the habit for 30 days, no excuses.
Tell others what you’re trying to do, so they will encourage you and help hold you accountable.
Once you’ve developed one new habit, build on that momentum by immediately setting a new goal for yourself.

Looking for a job where you can be happy and successful?

Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities. We’ll take the time to learn what you really want from your job – and present opportunities that are a great fit.