Having Fun at Work
25 December 2011
Read by 1532 persons
"You will earn your bread by the sweat of your brow": to contradict this old biblical saying, follow the four commandments of pleasure at work from today.
You spend 8 hours a day in the office, so you might as well make them enjoyable. Whatever the nature of your job or your work environment, here are some tried and tested tips that will allow you to rhyme work and good humor in all circumstances.
1- You will beautify your office
Whether you have an individual office or an open space, it is essential to make it your own to feel at ease in your workplace.
There are many ways to 'customize' the decoration of your office to your taste. Photos, posters, drawings, paintings, gadgets, holiday souvenirs… Everything is good to display your personality, keep a link with your world and make your workplace a place where you feel good!
See also if you can't get your company to contribute: maybe you will persuade your superior to invest in this magnetic display board for purposes other than strictly professional ones.
Regularly modify your layout so as not to fall into monotony and take advantage of festive occasions to subtly recall certain holidays of the calendar like Halloween or Christmas of course.
And during your decorating shopping, don't just think about your home, adopt the 'office' reflex: wouldn't this colorful frame brighten up your gray mouse-colored side table?
Other important points: the presence of green plants and a good light source are essential so you don't feel 'confined'. If you are not near a window, ask for your lighting to be particularly well-cared for.
A pitfall to avoid: by adding your personal touch, do not encroach on the territory of your neighbors, who need just as much as you to recreate their 'bubble' in the office. So avoid overly flashy and provocative decorative elements or the radio at full volume all day if the music bothers one of your colleagues!
2- You will handle humor
Nothing like a good laugh to defuse a conflict or keep stress at bay! While it is inappropriate - and frowned upon - to joke incessantly during an important work meeting, it is, on the other hand, wise to slip in a witty remark to smooth over a tense discussion: humor works wonders provided it is not directed against others.
A well-meaning reprimand from your superior destabilized you? Imagine him in a comical situation (dressed as Santa Claus to amuse his children, for example): this will immediately help you to put his reproaches into perspective. Also think about having a 'humor first aid kit': kept in a drawer in your office, it will bring together all the personal objects that make you laugh: clown nose, funny story book, hilarious photos of your loved ones, lucky charms… In case of a slump, take a look: you will feel better.
To maintain dynamism and enthusiasm, punctuate your days with short 'humor breaks': when you arrive in the morning, don't hesitate to crack a joke or a funny story if you feel inspired. During lunch, avoid 'work' topics that annoy: overdue files, a grumpy boss, bad payers… Prefer lighter conversations about your hobbies and interests, interspersed with pleasant anecdotes. In the afternoon, leave your office for a few minutes for a relaxed mini-break with cheerful colleagues: you will be all the more efficient afterwards.
The only limit to respect: always choose 'accomplices' who share your state of mind because you can laugh about anything… but not with just anyone!
3- You will practice conviviality
To give your best at the office, nothing beats a good atmosphere within the team! A thousand and one little attentions that are easy to implement contribute to creating it:
- Bring the daily newspaper in the morning and leave it on a table for everyone to read;
- Take turns buying cream puffs at the bakery to start the day with a communal breakfast;
- Make your teapot and mugs available to the community;
- Organize large department meals where everyone brings their culinary specialty;
- Note the birthdays of team members to wish them well at the appropriate time;
- Contribute to sending a bouquet of flowers to the receptionist;
- Send a small postcard from your holiday destination during your leave…
Generally speaking, make an effort to regularly give your colleagues positive feedback and thank them when you have successfully completed a team project: such an attitude strengthens cohesion, solidarity and pleasure in working together. 'Free' gestures are highly recommended - and appreciated: in the morning, take a few minutes to ask how everyone is doing, even if you have no common files in progress. Also take the initiative to warmly welcome new recruits and introduce them to everyone: you will create a bond.
Red card: gossiping or spreading rumors, especially about an absent person: there is no more radical way to break the harmony within a group!
4- You will flee routine
As soon as you master your position well, boredom becomes your number one enemy. Since it is not always possible to immediately obtain the promotion of your dreams, learn to wait constructively.
Shake up your habits: each day, decide on five things you could do differently and act accordingly. Assembling a file, negotiating a quote, organizing a meeting: observe the strengths of your colleagues and try to imitate their methods in what is best about them. Getting out of your 'comfort zone' will prove much more stimulating than you imagine. To combat the feeling of routine, also concoct a daily (or weekly) schedule that alternates pleasant tasks and more repulsive tasks.
Don't hesitate to 'go beyond' the scope of your duties: it's an excellent way to learn new things and renew your work. Adopt a cross-functional vision: take a tour of other departments, find out what's going on there. You will glean valuable information about the functioning of your company. You will also be able to discover new projects to which you can dedicate some of your time: contributing your knowledge or opinion on an ongoing customer study, participating in the writing of the internal newspaper or the launch of an electronic newsletter.
In summary, cultivate variety, autonomy, responsibility and freedom within your job… it's the winning formula to get up every morning with enthusiasm!
Monster.fr
Posted online on December 25, 2011.
You spend 8 hours a day in the office, so you might as well make them enjoyable. Whatever the nature of your job or your work environment, here are some tried and tested tips that will allow you to rhyme work and good humor in all circumstances.
1- You will beautify your office
Whether you have an individual office or an open space, it is essential to make it your own to feel at ease in your workplace.
There are many ways to 'customize' the decoration of your office to your taste. Photos, posters, drawings, paintings, gadgets, holiday souvenirs… Everything is good to display your personality, keep a link with your world and make your workplace a place where you feel good!
See also if you can't get your company to contribute: maybe you will persuade your superior to invest in this magnetic display board for purposes other than strictly professional ones.
Regularly modify your layout so as not to fall into monotony and take advantage of festive occasions to subtly recall certain holidays of the calendar like Halloween or Christmas of course.
And during your decorating shopping, don't just think about your home, adopt the 'office' reflex: wouldn't this colorful frame brighten up your gray mouse-colored side table?
Other important points: the presence of green plants and a good light source are essential so you don't feel 'confined'. If you are not near a window, ask for your lighting to be particularly well-cared for.
A pitfall to avoid: by adding your personal touch, do not encroach on the territory of your neighbors, who need just as much as you to recreate their 'bubble' in the office. So avoid overly flashy and provocative decorative elements or the radio at full volume all day if the music bothers one of your colleagues!
2- You will handle humor
Nothing like a good laugh to defuse a conflict or keep stress at bay! While it is inappropriate - and frowned upon - to joke incessantly during an important work meeting, it is, on the other hand, wise to slip in a witty remark to smooth over a tense discussion: humor works wonders provided it is not directed against others.
A well-meaning reprimand from your superior destabilized you? Imagine him in a comical situation (dressed as Santa Claus to amuse his children, for example): this will immediately help you to put his reproaches into perspective. Also think about having a 'humor first aid kit': kept in a drawer in your office, it will bring together all the personal objects that make you laugh: clown nose, funny story book, hilarious photos of your loved ones, lucky charms… In case of a slump, take a look: you will feel better.
To maintain dynamism and enthusiasm, punctuate your days with short 'humor breaks': when you arrive in the morning, don't hesitate to crack a joke or a funny story if you feel inspired. During lunch, avoid 'work' topics that annoy: overdue files, a grumpy boss, bad payers… Prefer lighter conversations about your hobbies and interests, interspersed with pleasant anecdotes. In the afternoon, leave your office for a few minutes for a relaxed mini-break with cheerful colleagues: you will be all the more efficient afterwards.
The only limit to respect: always choose 'accomplices' who share your state of mind because you can laugh about anything… but not with just anyone!
3- You will practice conviviality
To give your best at the office, nothing beats a good atmosphere within the team! A thousand and one little attentions that are easy to implement contribute to creating it:
- Bring the daily newspaper in the morning and leave it on a table for everyone to read;
- Take turns buying cream puffs at the bakery to start the day with a communal breakfast;
- Make your teapot and mugs available to the community;
- Organize large department meals where everyone brings their culinary specialty;
- Note the birthdays of team members to wish them well at the appropriate time;
- Contribute to sending a bouquet of flowers to the receptionist;
- Send a small postcard from your holiday destination during your leave…
Generally speaking, make an effort to regularly give your colleagues positive feedback and thank them when you have successfully completed a team project: such an attitude strengthens cohesion, solidarity and pleasure in working together. 'Free' gestures are highly recommended - and appreciated: in the morning, take a few minutes to ask how everyone is doing, even if you have no common files in progress. Also take the initiative to warmly welcome new recruits and introduce them to everyone: you will create a bond.
Red card: gossiping or spreading rumors, especially about an absent person: there is no more radical way to break the harmony within a group!
4- You will flee routine
As soon as you master your position well, boredom becomes your number one enemy. Since it is not always possible to immediately obtain the promotion of your dreams, learn to wait constructively.
Shake up your habits: each day, decide on five things you could do differently and act accordingly. Assembling a file, negotiating a quote, organizing a meeting: observe the strengths of your colleagues and try to imitate their methods in what is best about them. Getting out of your 'comfort zone' will prove much more stimulating than you imagine. To combat the feeling of routine, also concoct a daily (or weekly) schedule that alternates pleasant tasks and more repulsive tasks.
Don't hesitate to 'go beyond' the scope of your duties: it's an excellent way to learn new things and renew your work. Adopt a cross-functional vision: take a tour of other departments, find out what's going on there. You will glean valuable information about the functioning of your company. You will also be able to discover new projects to which you can dedicate some of your time: contributing your knowledge or opinion on an ongoing customer study, participating in the writing of the internal newspaper or the launch of an electronic newsletter.
In summary, cultivate variety, autonomy, responsibility and freedom within your job… it's the winning formula to get up every morning with enthusiasm!
Monster.fr
Posted online on December 25, 2011.
