1. Plan your day
Whether you do it the night before, on the commute or once you sit at your desk, setting out a clear schedule of tasks and goals will improve your productivity and help stave off slumps of inactivity or boredom.
You should plan simple jobs for first thing and right after lunch to ease you into your work. Pick out a high point to look forward to and schedule around it.
A good plan will keep the work from piling up and at the end of the day you should feel more accomplished.
2. Personalise your workspace
In a typical nine to five, Monday to Friday job, you spend around 35 hours a week in one spot, working hard and smart. It makes sense, then, that your work space should feel like your space.
Employer policies on personalisation vary but there should be some scope for jazzing up your desk. This might be framed photos, stylish stationery or even just a customised desktop.
It has been suggested that customising your work area with plants and photos can make you feel more secure and stable in your job.
3. Get organised
Keep a to-do list like Any.do or workflow application like Trello open and up to date at your desk.
This will not only help you stick to your daily goals but also prioritise better and keep up a steady rhythm of activity
Checking off meetings and projects as you go will give you a little boost and provide evidence to the contrary on the days you feel like you aren't contributing.
4. Set long-term goals
As well as focusing on the day-to-day, you should keep a few things about where you want to end up in mind.
Whether you want to move up the ladder in your current career or move on to new pastures, visualising your path should encourage you in your present pursuits.
How does what you're doing now tie in to a 10 year timeline? You don't have to know every detail right now, but it's worth considering.
5. Reward yourself
Achievements, big and small, should be celebrated.
Did you ace that presentation? Treat yourself to a special meal. Just finish a big project? Maybe it's time to use up some leave and take a long weekend.
Planning a reward ahead of time can give you extra incentive to get the job done.
Positive reinforcement and self-management are key to inspiring enthusiasm for your work.
6. Be honest with yourself
Don't take on mountains of work or volunteer for things you simply can't do.
The momentary approval from your boss isn't worth the upset later. Being realistic about your strengths and weaknesses will boost your confidence and help you improve.
Work-related stress causes financial services workers 25 days' worth of productivity a year, according to research from Britain's Healthiest Workplace (BSW).
Knowing yourself and your limits will not only curb an unhealthy mentality but help focus what it actually is you want from your job.
7. Leave your desk (occasionally)
Wandering aimlessly around the office might be a bad idea but stretching your legs every so often is a good habit to adopt.
Taking a trip up and down a few flights of stairs or just going to make a cup of tea will help stop stiffness and boredom from creeping up on you.
Breaks keep your brain more active and should help if you are prone to procrastination.
8. Reach out at lunchtime
Eating alone might bring a little rare serenity to your schedule, but doing it every day is just downright lonely.
Invite a colleague to join you and even get out of the building for a walk and a change of scenery. If that isn't feasible, make a personal call or FaceTime a friend during your break.
Making time to enjoy some company is healthy and a good old gab is an excellent way to cheer yourself up.
9. Smile
You may have every reason not to but smiling anyway can improve your mood greatly.
Forbes reported that smiling improves your own mood and the mood of those around you.
Displaying a positive attitude will affect how others interact with you and will help boost worker interactions.
10. Switch off at hometime
We're all guilty of working longer than we should or letting that one project weigh on our minds 24/7.
But doing this contributes to stress and feelings of resentment towards your job.
Try to reduce the amount of time you work from home in the evenings and on the weekend, if you can. Spend quality time with your family and community. And, be sure to switch off your devices a couple of hours before bed to help you get a better sleep.
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