13 tips for creating a more enjoyable workday

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the demands of your workday? We all need to love life to fully benefit from it. The good news is that it is very possible to create an environment where you can allow yourself to be more relaxed, more productive, and happier while working. The first step toward this goal is to realize that you are in control of your day, and there is a lot you can do to control your working experience. See a few tips for creating a more enjoyable workday

1. Do less accomplish more. It’s very difficult to have a relaxed workday if you have too much going on. Instead, choose the three most important things to achieve each day. Ask yourself, what 3 things can I do today that will move me closer to my goals? Then focus your attention on achieving those projects.

2. Create a relaxing morning ritual. It could include doing some form of exercise, a casual cup of coffee with your favorite person, or even some quiet working time. Get up early enough so you do not feel rushed, and then you will be able to start your workday on a positive note and actually enjoy your morning.

3. Prepare the night before. An evening routine can help set the stage for an enjoyable and productive next day. If you take a few minutes to list your three important tasks for the next day, you will begin your workday with a sense of purpose. This will also contribute to a more relaxed morning routine.

4. Wake up with a shower. This allows you to feel relaxed and energized at the same time, and to get a fresh start on a new workday. It also provides an opportunity for some quiet reflection.

5. Take advantage of the quiet. Get right to work while things are still relatively quiet. Some people prefer working at night after things quiet down while some persons take advantage of the morning time. Either way, it is easier to be productive when distractions are at a minimum.

6. Customize your work environment. Whether you work at home, in an office, or in some other setting, try to control your immediate work environment so that you can focus on the task at hand. This usually means having everything you need to do the job and not much else.

7. Control distractions where you can. Most people do not need to be available 24/7 via cell phone, email, etc. Don’t be afraid to unplug when you need to focus. Anything that will break into your focus and make you jump from one thing to another will just slow you down and interfere with your productivity.

8. Don’t over commit yourself. Evaluate all of your various commitments and look for areas to cut back. Make a distinction between what is essential and what is just busy work. Look for ways to delegate, outsource, minimize, or eliminate unnecessary or time consuming activities that don’t contribute much to your primary objective and complicate your workday.

9. Streamline your schedule. If you have the ability to opt out of meetings, phone calls, or errands, do it. A tight schedule can create a lot of unnecessary workday stress so always try to pad your schedule so that when something comes up it does not derail your whole day.

10. Break focus regularly. There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to focus and taking intentional focus breaks will actually make your workday more productive, not less. After about 90 minutes it’s beneficial to stop what you are doing, get up, walk around, stretch, get a glass of water, and look at something off in the distance. A few minutes of this will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for another round.

11. Count your blessings. Our attitude about work has a lot to do with what we focus on. If we constantly think about the things we don’t like, our workday will feel like a negative experience. On the other hand, if we feel grateful to have work, especially in this volatile economy, we will have a completely different experience. The more grateful you are, the more you will enjoy your workday.

12. Live in the present. Instead of worrying about the future or reliving the past, try to concentrate on the task at hand. Give attention to the details of what you are doing and look for ways to do an outstanding job. We gain a lot of personal satisfaction from a job well done. You will enjoy your workday a lot more if it leaves you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. So, get into it.

13. Maintain a lighthearted attitude. Some people take work way too seriously which squeezes all the joy out of it. Since it’s very likely that you are going to spend a big chunk of your life working, why not try to make it as fun as possible? If you learn to relax and take things in stride, it will actually make you more productive and you will enjoy your workday more instead of getting all stressed out.