There was so much excitement and anticipation leading up to winter break, and the end of a semester. People were wishing everyone a wonderful holiday, sharing homemade treats, finalizing assignments, and exchanging gifts. It seems like a long time ago. I was so ready for a break and now we are back at it – back to work.
Start the New Year with a Positive Mindset
As 2024 begins, along with a new semester of school, my body and mind remind me that sometimes, work can be stressful, challenging or even frustrating. It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of our jobs and forget about the positive ones. I for one am tired of being in this mindset. So, finding the positive in our work or life will be a priority for me because it can have many benefits, such as improving my mood, motivation, productivity and well-being.Â
Tips to Remember to Stay Positive
Here are some tips on how to remember to find the positive while at work, and how you can apply them in your daily routine:
Start your day with gratitude.
Think of three things that you are grateful for in your work, such as your colleagues, your skills, your achievements or your opportunities. Write them down or say them out loud. This can help you set a positive tone for the day and appreciate what you have. You can also make a habit of writing a gratitude journal every morning or evening or sharing your gratitude with someone else.
Recognize your strengths.
Identify what you are good at and what you enjoy doing in your work. Remind yourself of how you contribute to your team, your organization and your clients. Celebrate your successes and learn from your mistakes. This can help you boost your confidence and self-esteem. You can also use your strengths to take on new challenges, volunteer for projects or mentor others.
Seek feedback and support.
Ask for constructive feedback from your manager, peers or mentors on how you can improve your performance and grow your career. Listen to their suggestions and act on them. Also, seek support from them when you face challenges or difficulties. This can help you learn new skills, overcome obstacles and feel valued. You can also give feedback and support to others and express your appreciation for their work.
Find meaning and purpose.
Think of how your work aligns with your values, goals and passions. How does your work make a difference in the world? How does it help others? How does it fulfill you? This can help you find meaning and purpose in your work and motivate you to do your best. You can also explore new opportunities to expand your impact, such as joining a cause, taking a course or starting a side project.
Have fun and laugh.
Find ways to have fun and laugh at work, such as sharing jokes, stories or memes with your colleagues, playing games, having lunch together or organizing social events. This can help you reduce stress, build relationships and enjoy your work more. You can also find humor in difficult situations and use it as a coping mechanism. I probably lean on this one the most. I love to laugh, but more importantly make others laugh.
Putting More Energy into the Positive for Peace
This list is not exhaustive but are just some ways to think about finding ways to put more energy into being positive versus focusing only on the negative. Just before I left for the holidays, I got a sweet gift from a colleague. It was a little quotable ornament. Each team member received one of these. I got the word peace. The quote says,
My wish for you this new year is to find peace and positivity.Â
See You Real Soon,
Erin
COME JOIN A POSITIVE
NETWORK OF EDUCATORS
AT MAIN STREET PD
