11 Proven Ways to Find Joy in Your Work Life
We can’t call ourselves The Wild Ones, if we keep following the same path.
In today's fast-paced work environment, the week can wizz by, especially in an agency environment. I feel like most of my 25 years of work has done just that so I’m on a mission to find joy in my daily tasks, I know it’s crucial for overall well-being and productivity so whilst I may not always succeed, I’ve certainly being giving it my very best go.
Here are ten ways I try and infuse joy into my work life:
1. Take Back Control of Your Day I find It's easy to get overwhelmed with endless meetings and tasks so now I time block. Whether it's time-blocking or the Pomodoro technique, find what works for you and stick to it. Regaining control of your day can lead to a more balanced and joyful work experience. I tend to block out all activities in my diary, including dedicated work time and travel time to showcase how much time I really have in a day to get work completed. Turn off teams, shut down your emails, and check them every few hours, do what you can to take control. Trust me the world won’t stop if you don’t check your emails every five minutes.
2. Get Out of the House, But Not to the Office While working from home has its perks, lunch dip anyone? It's so important to to change your environment occasionally and I don’t mean move from the dining table to your bed. Consider co-working spaces or local cafes, it opens you up and makes your day more interesting. I’ve been known to add a candle or a small bunch of flowers to my desk and it genuinely gives me joy, and listen to music that gives you energy to get your tasks done, I’m currently loving the new Romy and Chemical Brothers albums, give them a try.
4. Invest in Working Relationships As we age, forging authentic friendships at work becomes harder, clicks have formed, and we’re too tired, and too busy. But don’t overlook how building strong working relationships is crucial for your happiness and the support it can bring you. Engage in conversation, take an interest in people outside of work, or simply take the time to have a coffee, bowl of ramen or a cheeky glass of wine with a colleague or work partners.
Marissa King, a Yale management professor, adds: The research is pretty clear that workplace friendships have enormous benefits. Having social support from coworkers reduces stress, helps reduce burnout, improves efficiency and productivity, and increases employee engagement.
As a leader, you might not be everyone's BFF. But you can create an environment that allows workplace friendships to thrive. And that’s why I like to spend time with my team and colleagues building a culture of appreciation and recognition outside of the day to day work load.
5. Integrate your passion into your job. Wether your passionate about tech, helping people, public speaking or just your dog. Challenging yourself to tap into passions in areas that you may not have thought of, for example you love helping others (an act fo service) , then think about how you can make somebodies day better -imparting knowledge, asking them to work collaboratively on a project to you can learn from each other. I’m currently on the digital train, acting like a sponge with all things digital and social. This not only adds variety to my work life but it allows me to flex my strengths and brings a sense of accomplishment. It can be as simple as jumping into Linkedin learning, or asking somebody who is an expert for more context or to have a coffee.
I Try and live by this:
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish. Never let go of your appetite to go after new ideas, new experiences, and new adventures.” ― Steve Jobs
6. Celebrate the Wins Whether big or small, celebrating achievements is vital. It boosts morale and fosters a positive work culture. Make it a weekly ritual to acknowledge and celebrate individual and team successes. It’s easy to fixate on the problems and the losses so this is something I’m very passionate about and love to do this with the teams that I lead. I don’t do this but I have a friend who has a wins folder of great emails from clients which she likes to look back at from time to time. And I try to meditate when something good happens, even just for a few minutes if you have the time, to soak it in, and really enjoy the feeling too.
7. Give Back The benefits of mentoring are twofold. It enriches both the mentor and the mentee. There’s always great value in sharing your knowledge and experiences. Consider offering mentorship or volunteering for work-related initiatives. I’m currently on the lookout for a mentor, so if you know anyone who is willing to take on a 43 year Irish woman who is just doing her best, shout out. And similarly, I’m so happy to give up my time and experience for anyone who needs it.
8. Create Micro Habits Incorporate small habits into your routine, such as meditation, listening to an inspiring podcast, or taking short breaks. Start by adding one new habit a week. Over time, these micro habits can significantly enhance your work experience. I’m obsessed with Mel Robbins podcast -she’s got something for everyone, I also use Insight Timer for meditation and the courses it offers and as James Clear advocates for building habits in the present allows you to do more of what you want in the future. But a brilliant reminder that from the small things, bigger things can happen.
9. Have Boundaries Brené Brown's work emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries. Brene waxes lyrical about how It's crucial for mental well-being and job satisfaction. I was guilty of being unable to do this for years, I’m a natural people pleaser so it doesn’t come easily to say no or to put yourself first but try it. By setting clear boundaries, you pave the way for a more fulfilling job experience. Turn off the laptop, say no to drinks if you don;t want to go. Live how you actually want to live vs living how you feel like you’re expected to live.
10. Dopamine Dressing Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m a staunch advocate for dopamine dressing. It’s rare that I’m seen without some ladydanger on my lips and a bright pink or orange jacket to boot. The way we dress can significantly impact our mood. Colors, in particular, have the power to evoke emotions and spark joy. So, wear that dress or those shoes and let them uplift your spirits.
11. Advocate for Yourself Women, in particular, often hesitate to voice their needs and desires in the workplace. Whether it's negotiating a pay rise or expressing an opinion in a meeting, advocating for oneself is crucial. Remember, your voice matters, and it's essential to make it heard. By integrating these strategies into your work life, you can find joy in everyday tasks and boost your overall job satisfaction.
By integrating these strategies, I've found joy in my work life. And I believe you can too. After all, we spend a significant portion of our lives working; why not make the most of it?
#JoyAtWork #PersonalJourney #WorkLifeBalance #Mentorship #DigitalTrends #DopamineDressing #WorkplaceWellbeing #AdvocateForYourself #TimeBlocking #WorkplaceFriendships #ProfessionalGrowth