hr bartender

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

New research from UKG indicates that 75% of frontline workers are feeling overworked and underpaid. The research also indicates that the number rises to 83% of Gen Z workers in the same sector. I realize that organizations are very focused on the bottom-line. Frankly, they always are. Putting profits over people is not a winning strategy. 

But that’s not the focus of today’s article. The research got me thinking … what does it take to have a good day at work? Yes, obviously we need to feel like we’re being paid fairly, and we need to feel like our workload is manageable. Sometimes even when we have those things, we can have not-so-great days at work. 

Recently, I listened to Caroline Webb’s LinkedIn Learning course titled “How to Have a Great Day at Work” and wanted to share my takeaways. Webb is an executive coach and author of the best-selling book “How to Have a Good Day”. As a reminder, if you do not have a LinkedIn Learning account, it’s possible your local library has a partnership with LinkedIn, and you can access this course for FREE with a library card. 

In the course, Webb talks about our brains and how when are brains are tired this can impact our ability to get things done. That leads to crankiness and well, not having a good day. So, my first takeaway was if you’re not having a good day, maybe you need to ask yourself “Why?”. Can you isolate the reason? It could be a project you’re working on, and you’re stuck. Or a co-worker that’s annoying. Or maybe something at home. 

Think about if it makes sense to have some sort of “work mood tracker” that might help to identify those things that are keeping you from having a good day at work. Because once you know those reasons, then you can work on resolving them. Webb mentions several activities that individuals can do to help create better days at work including:

Writing things down. Instead of trying to remember everything, write down your to-do’s. Then prioritize them. Once it’s on a list, then let it go until you can get to it.

Learn how to plan. Regular readers of HR Bartender know I’m a planner. Planning can help to maintain focus on priorities and not worry about all the other stuff (because it’s on your list and will get taken care of when it’s time).

Start small and make progress easy. This is kinda related to writing things down and planning (#1 and #2). Take big projects and break them down into small parts so they aren’t quite as overwhelming.

Include “me” time on your calendar. Yes, we need to be productive and get things done. We also need to take time to relax and recharge. Find time for yourself. It will only help your productivity.

Reduce multi-tasking. Webb talks about how multi-tasking can make our brains tired and keep us from doing our best work (and not having a good day). I don’t want to tell anyone to eliminate multi-tasking … not sure if that’s completely realistic. But do see if there are ways to reduce it so your brain stays active.

Make it fun and celebrate your successes. Crossing something off your to-do list can be incredibly gratifying. Take a moment to enjoy it.

End the day on a high note. One of the things that can contribute to a less than great day is ending the day when we’re tired or angry or frustrated. Webb explains how that feeling might stay with us and suggests finding time to wrap up the day with “me” time – maybe it’s doing something fun or taking a moment to do some gratitude journaling. Whatever it is, see if ending the day in a more peaceful way helps. 

My takeaway from this course was that the key to having a good day is to do activities that keep my brain active. When my brain gets tired, then I get tired and that keeps me from having a good day. Sure, there will be days when I will have frustrating moments. But being conscious of that – and finding ways to offset it – maybe by stepping away from my desk – help me to get back on track. And back on track for having a good day at work. 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Fort Lauderdale, FL
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23/11/2024 – 06:44 /Sharlyn Lauby
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