How to boost your happiness and confidence at work: Top ten tips
Today I’m sharing ten simple ways to be happier and more confident at work. If you listened to the first podcast episode of 2023 these will sound familiar but this will be a good reminder! As always, feel free to pick and choose the tips that suit you best.
Tip number one is to set boundaries. It's important to remember that you have the right to stop working each day and have time that is truly yours. Boundaries can be established around all sorts of things at work, such as when and how you check and respond to emails, how much assistance you give to your colleagues, or even taking a proper lunch break away from your desk.
Tip number two is to start saying no. The clearer your boundaries are, the easier it is to say no without feeling guilty. Saying no can be challenging, but it's a necessary step to protect your time and energy.
Tip three is to start taking breaks away from your desk or workstation. When we stay at our desks, it's too easy to get distracted by emails or someone appearing at our shoulder with a quick question. Taking a break and stepping away from your workspace can help you refocus and come back to your work with renewed energy.
Tip four is to leave work at work. It's essential to prioritise your time outside of work and ensure that you're taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. Make sure to schedule time for hobbies, exercise, or socialising with friends and family. The things that fill your cup and give you joy.
Tip five is to let go of perfectionism. If you are still holding onto the idea that you have to be or can be perfect then you are never going to be truly happy. Perfectionism does not exist. It just sets us up for failure, disappointment, low self-esteem and potential burnout. What we should be aiming for is doing our best and best means best in our particular and unique circumstances each day – the resources, knowledge, time and energy that we have. So, if you are a sleep deprived parent struggling with internet that doesn’t want to play ball you do your best in those circumstances, and that’s the only measure that should matter.
Tip number six for a happier you at work is learn to take compliments. If you do a presentation and someone says that was fantastic, do not look at them like they have no idea what they’re talking about and reel off all the things that you think went badly! Instead, say thank you and choose to believe them. They were listening and they thought it was great. If you come out a tough meeting and your colleague says, “That was a really tricky situation and you handled it so well.” Thank them and believe them. Yes, there may be things that now you’ve had time to think you wish you’d said but in the moment your colleague in the room thought you dealt with a hard situation well. Accept and believe the compliment. Compliments are like little gifts from the person giving them. They don’t have to give them, but they choose to. And when we start listening to them, say thank you for them and believe them we feel so much better about ourselves.
Tip number seven – if you possibly can – and I know it may not be possible in some circumstances, make your workstation your own. Introduce a few little personal bits and pieces that make you smile. Anything that makes you feel a little more like the real you.
Tip eight is to set reminders to move. We all need to move our bodies to feel energised, less sluggish and alive. It’s so easy to sit in front of a screen all day and not move if we aren’t careful so set yourself regular reminders to get up and move about a bit.
Tip nine is to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate your accomplishments can boost your confidence and motivation.
Tip ten – make sure that you unwind out of work. Make sure that you make time for the things you love every day and at the weekends. Don’t just live for the weekends or even worse your two weeks off over the summer. Find ways to enjoy every day.
There are many simple ways to be happier and more confident at work. Making a few small changes could make a huge difference.
I’ve kept this blog nice and short but if you want to dive deeper into any of the ten tips I’ve shared have a listen to episode 51 of Unlock Your Confidence with Clare Walsh available on all podcast platforms.
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