Sometimes work can seem like such a drag.
You find yourself staring at your computer, listening to the clock tick slowly as each second drags by.
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You will have some moments of productivity and excitement, but the rest of your time is just more sitting around waiting for the day to be over.
However, there are some tips and tricks to making office life a lot more appealing that might help you to be more productive and satisfied.
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1. Work in short bursts, then take some downtime outside
Let's face it-we inevitably work in short bursts anyway, so why not make the most out of them?
Have 30-minute bursts of work where you make sure to be as productive as possible. Then, after the 30 minutes, take a little break. Now, I don't mean a full-on break where you can sit around and do nothing but more of a mental or physical break.
Use this time to take a lap around the office or, even better, to pop outside.
Getting some fresh air and sun for just 5 or 10 minutes is bound to pick up your mood and motivate you to work hard the rest of the day.
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2. Make to-do lists and stick to them
This is one little thing surprisingly makes a big difference when it comes to accomplishing many tasks within the day. And it makes time fly by.
Knowing exactly what you have to do and tackling it one task at a time will leave you feeling accomplished.
Plus, the satisfaction of checking things off as they get done is just so satisfying.
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3. Clean (and not just your office space)
It's amazing how much organization can facilitate a more productive working environment.
Make it a daily goal to have your desk and office space as organized as possible. That way your mind won't be preoccupied with any kind of mess.
Also, don't stop the organizational mojo there: bring it home with you.
Having a home that is organized and clutter-free also creates a stress-free work environment because you won't have to think about the mess waiting for you at home.
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4. Put your phone away
Having your phone sitting next to your computer is asking for temptation to be distracted.
Eliminate this distraction by simply putting your phone in a drawer or your purse and by checking it only during your downtime or at lunch.
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5. Have a desk plant
Having a nice desk plant brings the outdoors to your office or cubicle. And, if you get an herb or a flower, the plant also brings a wonderful scent.
6. Bring a treat to work
This will not only brighten everyone else's day but also give you the opportunity to make some office friends.
Plus, taking a 5-minute break to interact with people gives yourself a little breather from the mundane.
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7. Block social media sites
Unless your job requires you to be using these sites, the best thing you can do to increase your productivity and be happier at work is to block social media sites that are known to distract you.
This way you won't be thinking about someone's epic vacation or that birthday party you were invited to or how many likes your latest post received. Instead, you will focus on your actual work.
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8. Tune out
Sometimes plugging in your headphones and tuning out what's going on around you is the best thing you can do to stay focused and get work done.
Make sure it is for an appropriate time, however, because you don't want to miss or ignore important things going on around the office.
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9. Have some fun
Nobody said you couldn't have a little fun at work!
Organize a lunch party, a walking meeting or any other activity that will be fun to your co-workers and you. It will encourage you to play hard and work hard.
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10. When you leave work, leave work
The best part of the workday? Going home.
So do you and your mind a favor and leave all of your work-related worries and stresses at work and go home and relax.
You will find it so much easier to get up and go to work the next day if you don't spend all your free time thinking about going back.
