Sky Careers
- Home
- Career Tips
- Featured Employers
- My Career Builder
- Upload your CV
- Recommendations
- Hiring
- Employer Sign-in
- RSS Feeds
- Home
- Career Tips
- Whistle while you work
Whistle while you work
Rebecca Garson | Thursday 31 July 2008 | 16:18
With our tips on how to stay happy in the office...
Almost five million Brits admit to a touch of ergophobia (fear of work), with some of the nation’s top earners – lawyers and bankers – dreading the morning alarm clock the most. That’s according to a survey of 1,000 UK employees, carried out by City & Guilds, the UK’s leading authority on vocational education and training issues.
City & Guilds compile the “Happiness Index” annually and their findings revealed that nearly a third of people were simply not happy at work.
“Most workers spend an average of 37 hours at work every week – which is almost two thousand hours per year, and that’s a lot of time to be spending in a job where you’re not happy”, says Chris Humphries, director general of City & Guilds.
If you are one of Britain’s unhappy workers, there are lots of things you can do to make your time at the office more interesting. You want to sit at your desk with a smile, not a frown!
Here are ten suggestions to make you whistle while you work:
1. Be Positive
When you’re at work try and focus on the positives – what do you enjoy about your job. It can be anything at all, even as simple as the view from your office window or your co-workers. Whenever you feel yourself lagging, think of a positive and your mood will automatically be lifted.
Looking for a new job? Sky Careers have thousands of jobs for you to choose from.
2. Change your working hours
Something as simple as changing the hours that you work could make a huge difference to your mood. Is there the possibility that you could work an early shift one day and then come in later the next? Or perhaps you can work a few days a week from home? This isn’t an excuse to skive - it just varies your week. If you think this will boost your mood have a talk with your boss and see what the options are.
3. Take a break
Sitting at your desk all day can cause headaches so make sure you take regular breaks. Go and get yourself a coffee or just have a walk down to the other end of the office. Just stretch your legs a little, you will feel much better for it.
4. Challenge Yourself
It is important to challenge yourself. “One of the reasons that we can get restless in our job is, quite simply, boredom,” says career coach Jenny Ungless. If you find yourself getting restless think of how you could make your job more enjoyable. “Perhaps you could volunteer to mentor new staff, or spend some time every week shadowing people in other departments to get a broader perspective on the business?” she adds.
5. Be organised
Falling behind with your work is bound to make you stressed - so create a manageable schedule so this doesn’t happen. Make a list of what you have to do and prioritise it by date and importance. This way you won’t be working on a hundred different things at once. “By being proactive and taking control, employees can feel a sense of satisfaction, enhanced confidence and motivation,” says a spokesperson for gleez.com, a website that offers guidance on personal and professional issues.
6. Network
If your job role doesn’t involve meeting new people, find ways to incorporate it into your workday. Jenny Ungless says: “Meeting people and getting fresh perspectives can help you to keep yourself interested and interesting. She adds: “If there don’t seem to be many networking opportunities where you are, create some!” This can be anything from a pub quiz or team outing.
7. Enjoy yourself
The workplace doesn’t have to be dull. Why not suggest that every Friday you and your colleagues go out for drinks? Or you could organise a team event, such as a trip to Go Ape (tree-top adventure course), or paintballing. Your colleagues don’t have to be your best buddies - but it is nice to have a laugh with your team to inject some laughter into the workplace.
8. Make Plans
Make sure you make plans after work. This gives you something to look forward to during your workday. If all you do is get up, go to work, go home, have dinner and go to bed then you are bound to get fed-up. Go out for dinner with friends or sign up to the gym.
9. Decorate
Most people are stuck behind a desk all day so make your workspace feel a bit like home. Decorate your desk with pictures, knick-knacks, or ornaments to make you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
10. Look Elsewhere
If after doing all of these tips you still aren’t happy in your job, then perhaps it’s time to move on. Life is too short to be stuck in a job that makes you miserable.
Looking for a new job? Search through our extensive database on Sky Careers!
Email a Friend Print Page
User Comments
Search for a Job
Salary Calculator
Got something to say?