BLOG: Five Ways to Spice Up your Work Life in the New Year

Hello everyone! Its Intern Megan back in action. I’m home for winter break and blogging up a storm. I’m so excited to be back at the chamber, and today I thought I would talk about some New Year’s resolutions to spice up your life at work, and make your career a little more fulfilling. As my mom always says, we are creatures of habit. We fall into routines that may or may not be helping us reach our full potentials, so this year, let’s resolve to break out of our comfort zones, and strive for the most fulfilling life in and outside of work. Here are just a few ideas to help along the way.

1. Do something that scares you every day

I first saw this phrase on Pinterest (make sure to check out the Chamber’s page), and it really stuck with me. For me, it is so easy to get stuck in the same day to day routine, and it leaves me feeling burnt out, and less than satisfied. These scary things don’t have to be big by any means. Whether it is trying on the dress you have been eyeing for a few days, or asking for the promotion, the opportunities are endless.

2. Make Time for You

No matter what your job, it is so easy to let your work life and personal life blend together. Time spent at home can turn into time spent worrying about deadlines and new projects. The key to minimalizing stress is to set aside time to just focus on you. This could be designating an hour or two to go to the gym, read a book, go shopping, or whatever your heart desires. These little things will alleviate stress, and make it easier to focus on work when you are actually in the office.

3. Set Goals

This is one of the more obvious resolutions, but one of the most important. One of the biggest causes of workplace dissatisfaction is feeling like you don’t have a purpose. Most often this is due to the lack of goal setting! If you make a few goals at the beginning of the year and spend the rest of the year inching your way closer to these goals, every day will have a purpose. Make sure to keep your goals realistic, and achievable. Keep in mind your time frame, and you will be sure to succeed.

4. Be Social

One of the easiest ways to enjoy your job is to enjoy the people you work with. You spend half your day with these people, so you might as well get to know them! Take a genuine interest in your coworkers, and they will do the same! Work will become so much more entertaining when you have things in common with those around you. Try getting together outside of work, asking for advice on current projects or tasks, or bringing in treats to share.

5. Get Organized

Half of the time, I think my stress comes from not knowing where I need to be next, or what I need to get done that day. By writing things out in a planner, or keeping an up to date calendar, you will be much more organized and will waste less time trying to figure out what is next. Decide to write all tasks, events, deadlines, and goals in your planner, and watch your stress melt away and your ability to get things done skyrocket!!

I hope you found some of these things helpful, and I encourage you to pick a few to try this year. If you have any other ways to make your career more fulfilling, I would love to hear about them! Thanks so much for reading!

-Intern Megan