Having a peaceful mind at work every day is already a challenging feat, and when your co-workers are constantly throwing random tasks at you or are blaming you for their own mishaps on the job, it can seem nearly impossible to even fake a smile throughout the day. Focusing on these things will only drag you down and keep you from getting the most out of your day, so it is vital that you practice calming your mind to take back control of your thoughts and emotions. This isn’t only important because it will improve your own performance at work but your attitude and ability to keep calm in a storm will help you position yourself as a leader amongst the rest of your organization, moving you further ahead in your career.
Remember, the goal is not to be bursting out of your own skin with happiness at all times of the day, but instead to keep a balanced mindset that allows you to communicate better with your co-workers and conquer new challenges with a clear head. Having dealt with terrible bosses that do nothing other than micro-manage and incompetent co-workers that beg for help when there are more important tasks at hand, I have a few tips to help you keep your peace throughout those days at work that feel like they may not ever end.
1. Go to Bed Early
The first step to keeping your balance throughout the day is to having a mind that is well rested and ready to take on the day. I’m surely not the one to present you with the science behind a good night’s rest, but I encourage you to take the time to really consider your current habits. “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” – Benjamin Franklin. It isn’t always easy to get a full eight hours but getting in bed as early as possible will help you tremendously.
2. Hold The Coffee
I know how nice it is to have that early morning caffeine rush, but I can just about guarantee that it is hurting you more than it is helping in the long run. Not only are you setting yourself up for an afternoon crash (or maybe that second cup of coffee) but you’re also spending your hard earned money on a substance that provides you little to no marginal utility. Coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeine filled boosters are sure to have you feeling a roller coaster of emotions throughout the day. With balance and peace being the goal, I don’t recommend indulging in these everyday. It will be a struggle to try and quit cold turkey, but taking a day or two every week to observe the differences in your mood will at least give you the chance to consider caffeine’s role in your life.
3. Take a Few Minutes to Clear Your Mind
Sometimes we get extremely busy and there is little to no time allotted to relax throughout the work day. Federal law does not mandate your employer to give time for lunch breaks, but if your employer happens to grant you one, I highly recommend taking a few of those minutes to separate yourself from your co-workers and be alone. I go to the garage at my office every day during my lunch break to reflect on the day so far and to meditate for a few minutes. No matter what has happened so far or what may be next to come, relieving yourself of the stress of working for a couple minutes will help give you the clarity you need to perform at your highest level.
If tranquility of the mind is not a goal of yours, you can ignore everything above. If you highly value your control over your emotional and mental state, I highly recommend at least giving the third tip a shot. It is by far the easiest one to attempt and it will not interfere with but rather enrich your daily routine with a rewarding practice.