Spicing up the 9 to 5

Dolly Parton truly epitomised what can often be described as the daily grind of the 9 to 5. From the tumbling out of bed, to the stumbling towards the kitchen, we all wish it would be as easy to pour ourselves a cup of ambition. Well… maybe it can be.

An alerting figure, emerging from research, is that we spend a third of our lives at work. With this in mind, we don’t just need to pour ourselves a cup of ambition, but we need to pour ourselves a triple shot, venti, with a side of perseverance. We need to spice up our work life.  It’s no surprise that a higher level of workplace satisfaction and engagement results in a significant increase in productivity. Imagine that - not only enjoying work, but excelling in your chosen vocation too! It’s time to move from ‘barely gettin’ by, to more talkin’ and more givin’.

We must take control over the mindset we wrap ourselves in prior to entering the workplace and ensure we get up on the right side of bed because it’s time to put on our rose tinted lenses. The first thing that can often catch us off guard, and cause the shades of negativity to slip over our eyes, is generally the start to our day. How often are we told about the importance of a positive start to our day? A good night's rest? A morning stroll to awaken our endorphins? If you’re automatically rolling your eyes, listening to your inner conscious chanting “well, I’m not a morning person”, it’s time to silence that voice. Muzzle that mindset. And move on forward! Recent research, published in Forbes , has shown that not only are early risers more optimistic and conscientious, they also anticipate problems and minimize them more efficiently.  This all adds up as crucial elements of success in the working world!

Assess how you get to work. Is there a possibility this is where you can tick off your first “spice” of the day? If you drive, consider a new playlist or podcast to kick start the day. If you’re catching public transport, hop off a stop early and stroll the remaining distance. If you’re in a position to commute with a colleague - do! Use this first part of the day to connect and get in the zone. Regardless of how you spice up the morning navigation, be sure not to play with the concept of time. It may seem rebellious and edgy to race time, but running late will certainly not be a good start to your day. Remove all possible stress you can and ease into work with a smile on that dial.

Now, many people believe in the power of positive self affirmations. We’re not encouraging you to go face-to-face with the mirror in the office restroom chanting compliments and praising yours truly; however, adopting a ‘Monday Mantra’ could help shift your mood early on in the week. Struggling to find positive images or quotes to stick above your PC? A quick google image search of ‘Monday Mantra’ will generate a plethora of options you can quickly print out and pop on your desk. Better yet, print a few extra copies and place them on the back of the doors in the restroom. This way you’re indirectly, and hygienically, spreading the positivity to many others throughout the day.

When your mid-morning break kicks in, don’t reach for the same old snack, or stroll towards the same tired cafe. Change it up! This doesn’t mean you need to spice it up as much as a chai latte, but simply a little change. A quick online search will create an instant list of attractions in the area. There could be an up’n’coming cafe in close proximity, maybe a book store you could browse. Challenge yourself in the weekend to try a new tasty recipe and indulge in this tantalising new creation on your next break. If you’re inclined to spread the love, do some baking and place an anonymous note on it for colleagues to devour. A little random act of kindness, sprinkled here or there, will quickly raise your dopamine levels, resulting in an instant sense of satisfaction. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Don’t underestimate the contagion of positivity. It can be more prolific than a winter flu when practised regularly. Workplace positivity and ‘spice’ has to start somewhere and not everyone is as comfortable with spicing things up. In his wisdom, Mahatma Gandhi spoke “be the change you want to be in the world”. In her stardom, Dolly Parton sung “workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’”. Well, by combining the two, we have our first new mantra “be the change you want to be in the workplace, what a way to make a difference”.