It is easy for both men and women to get worn down by the monotony of everyday life in the workplace. The day starts by waking up far too early, grabbing our favorite caffeinated beverage and possibly something resembling breakfast, sitting in rush hour traffic for as much as an hour, doing the same routine tasks you work on every day, spending more time in traffic, watching a little TV, going to bed and starting all over again. It is easy to see how some people can fall into the trap of “another boring day of work” and wish they could quit their jobs and do something else.
But was it always this way, and does it have to continue like this forever? Is there something we can do to make time spent in the office seem more productive and more enjoyable at the same time? Can we get out of this “funk” and do anything to advance? Really it all comes down to overcoming the obstacles thrown at us by our long, routine work day and learning to thrive in the workplace.
Start by changing your attitude. Do not get discouraged when the day seems to drag. Stop watching the clock and start focusing on the tasks that are getting accomplished. Instead of feeling the long day wearing you out, feel the workload getting lighter as you complete more work and get closer to punch out time. Do not get discouraged if 8 hours feels like 15. Instead try and make the most out of your 8 hours and you may notice that it 5 o’clock, or whenever your shifts end, appears to come faster. Some people get frustrated when they feel they are given an inordinate amount of work at the office. Women feel they are treated unfairly in the workplace. And, unfortunately, it does happen. But instead of being frustrated by the huge workload, be thankful for being busy. A busy 8 hour day always seems to go far more quickly than a slow one. In addition, an employer loves an employee that is thankful for work rather than one that is annoyed by it.
Rely on your friends and coworkers to get you through the day. That may mean asking for help when it is possible and appropriate. That may mean taking breaks together to talk or having lunch together. That could even include going on conferences or work retreats together whenever possible. A little social interaction during the middle of a long day can be a great way for some people to feel refreshed for the rest of their shift.
When you make a mistake or are struggling with something, commit to overcoming that obstacle. Rather than beating yourself and focusing on the fact that your mistake made life harder on everyone else, learn from it. Find out what lead to the mistake and fix the problem. Not only will you not make that mistake again, chances are a bit of reflection will prevent you from making similar errors in the future.
It is easy to get overwhelmed in the workplace. Rather than letting yourself spiral down towards frustration just remind yourself how to overcome these work related obstacles. Changing your attitude, relying on friends and coworkers, and learning from mistakes rather than brooding about them can be the difference between dreading hating your career and enjoying it.
