January Doesn’t Need To Be All About The Blues

January, a month of Mondays.

You could well be low on money and feeling the effects of overindulgence at Christmas - add in the return to work and this can be an incredibly difficult time of year. But it doesn’t need to be that way.

It’s a new year, a fresh start, a time to make some changes that will have a positive effect. I’m not talking about that gym membership you will “definitely” use three times a week or that new diet you are going to stick to this year.

I’m talking about small changes at work that you can easily commit too and stick with that will make a real difference.

First things first...

Tidy up and organise your workspace.

Whether you are back in the office or working from home, this small change can make a huge difference.

You will be sat there for more or less 8 hours per day so make sure your space is comfortable and welcoming. Add a personal touch, a plant or a picture of the family, something that will make you smile.

Consider your workload planning.

You may well have come back to a mountain of work and an email inbox packed full of unread emails. Have a realistic plan of how to tackle this.

Maybe it’s best for you to tackle all of the small tasks first so you can tick things off your to-do list, or it might be best to get straight into that big project that’s waiting.

Plan in the way that’s best for you to achieve your workplace goals.

Be kind to yourself.

Following on from the last point, being kind to yourself is crucial.

Don’t make unrealistic to-do lists - this may leave you focusing on the few things you didn’t achieve that day instead of the many that you did.

Chaos will find you in the workplace so don’t forget to build some spare time into your workdays. On the unlikely occasion nothing comes up, that unallocated time allows you to get ahead of your plan.

Finally, try and remain...

Upbeat and positive.

It can be difficult especially at this time of year, but use positive language and focus on the good things.

If you are starting to feel a bit low, stand up and stretch your legs. Get some fresh air if you can - it will make a difference.

 

January doesn’t have to be all about the blues. Keep the positives in mind and commit to small changes that make a difference. 2022 could be the year that it all falls into place!