How to Break Out of a Mental Funk at Work [3 Practical Ideas to Try Today]
Stand out from the crowd. (Photo: code poet)
In this recession, budgets have been cut, co-workers have been laid off, you must do more with less, and priorities change daily. This can be drain on even the most positive, inspired people. In this article, I’ll share some tips for sparking your positive thinking. I’ll also show you how to tap into your own internal enthusiasm to motivate action in yourself and others around you.
First, Remember This: Enthusiasm and Action Matter!
I make it a point to try to greet everyone I meet, or talk to on the phone, with a smile. I don’t always succeed, but when I do the results are pretty amazing.
Why? There’s a contagious positivity in your smile. We all want to be happy. By starting your conversation (even on the phone) with a smile, you invoke happier feelings in your tone and in the others around you.
True leaders know that by putting energy into positive thinking like this, even when you really don’t want to, you can help motivate action in yourself and the others around you at the same time.
Here are some ways to help you kick-start your day, radically change your perspective, or get creative when you just don’t want to:
3 Ideas to Break Out of a Funk at Work
1. Change your physicality
According to studies by Albert Mehrabian, 55% of whether or not we like someone’s communication is based on their non-verbal communication. When you are communicating in person, your physicality is your non-verbal, “body language.” When you are communicating over the phone, your tone is your source of physicality.
If you want to change your thinking, or the reaction you are getting from others, you have to focus on changing your physicality. How? Get up out of your desk, go outside (regardless of the weather), and take a walk around your building (and yes, you work from home folks should do this too). It’s amazing how doing this simple exercise will freshen your perspective!
2. Change your mental patterns
I believe there is a direct link between getting inspired and doing something non-routine. How do you do something non routine?
- If you spend all day talking with co-workers, instead call someone you love.
- If you always take the same route to work, change your route! If you are using the analytical side of your brain all day, do something creative (or vice-versa)!
- Do you sit in the same spot every day? Stand up on your desk or sit on an exercise ball instead!
By simply interrupting the pattern you have created, you will open your mind to creative thinking.
3. Read inspirational quotes
One of the reasons I collect and share inspirational quotes on Dot Connector is because I like having a place to reference them. When I need a new idea, want to write a card to someone, etc., I routinely check the Inspirational Quotes category for ideas.
Got another idea to break out of a mental funk at work? Please leave a comment!
See also:Posted in: Communication Skills, Leadership, Personal Development
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