We’ve all had days where heading to the office has felt like a chore. Those days are the ones where even an extra shot of espresso doesn’t make a difference, somehow you end up spending half the morning staring out of the window and come 6pm you’re rushing to provide something, anything, to show for the last eight hours. Luckily, it doesn’t always need to be that way and there are some simple steps you can take to make everyday into a good day.

1. Leave your desk in order

In an Workspace Organization Survey taken by Officemax figures showed that 90% Americans admitted that unorganized clutter had a negative impact on their productivity, motivation and happiness. Taking ten minutes to clear your desk at the end of the day means you can arrive the next morning set up for a good day at work.

Not least of all, getting rid of all those post-it notes and empty coffee cups will save you from the judgement of your co-workers – 40% of people admitted that they would assume that a messy coworker is lacking in other aspects of their job too.

2. Get enough sleep

Apart from a rare 1-3% of the population otherwise known as “the sleepless elite“, the average person needs roughly 8 hours of decent sleep a night in order to function the next day. Lack of sleep leads to reduced concentration, irritability, poor judgement, bad memory and a short attention span, none of which are going to contribute to a good day at work.

So unless you’re a superhuman being like Tom Ford (reportedly existing on 3 hours of kip a night) make sure you hit the lights in time to get some quality snooze before another day at the office.

3. Say hello

A good day starts with a ‘good morning!’. That initial connection with the rest of your team can set the tone for the rest your shift and will affect the way you interact with your colleagues for the day. Business speaker and bestselling author Micheal Kerr agrees, particularly if you’re a team leader: “Taking the time to connect with your team members is essential, and doing the seemingly small things (making eye contact, smiling, asking them about their night, and checking in on what they may need help with) helps you as a leader take the pulse of the team, and helps set the tone for all the employees.”

4. Make a to-do-list

We all know how easy it can be to get distracted, especially once you’ve logged into your emails. Priorities can get thrown over in favour of more appealing projects or that Youtube video that’s gone viral (we’ve all been there). Make the most of your first hour at work and set yourself up for a good day with a to-do list. By tackling your priorities first thing in the morning you can leave the more enjoyable tasks to the afternoon, by which point your energy levels may have lowered a little and you’ll appreciate the less challenging projects.

5. Get in the zone

It can be hard to separate your personal life to work life, but if you want to have a good day in the office it’s important to leave some issues at home. Obviously if there is a serious issue affecting you, it’s probably worth discussing with a superior. However, if you had a row with your partner over who’s turn it is to take the kids to school that morning, it’s time to suck it up and put on a happy face.

Picture everything else melting away as you step into the office, sit down, take a few deep breaths, and think of a positive mantra to repeat throughout the day i.e. “I am calm, focused and confident”. It’s proven that positive affirmations like this can really boost your mood, and your colleagues will thank you for it too…

6. A good day includes regular breaks

It’s a well known fact that regular breaks can boost productivity, not least of all it’s not healthy to spend 8 hours a day sitting in the same position staring at a screen. Unless you’re one of the lucky few who has a workplace nap room then it’s important to rest your eyes by at least looking away from the screen every half hour or so.

Get up, go get a glass of water, a healthy snack or a cup of tea, take a brisk walks around the office or speak to a colleague about a work topic in person instead of emailing them. Having regular mini breaks as well as a decent lunch break helps you revive, meaning you return to the desk able to perform at your optimum level.

7. Collaborate

A good day begins with a good plan. Taking time in the morning to discuss your goals with your team is a sure fire way to get everyone on board in order to achieve your targets. Whether you’re holding an office meeting or having a quick huddle with immediate members to discuss a project, it’s a great way to touch base and start the day. Apart from making sure everyone is on the same page, a morning team meeting significantly increases your chances of achieving your days goals. Have any more tips or suggestions? Leave your comments below and let us know how you make everyday a good day!

Image Reference – Flickr Hernani Lerrea