Small Habits That Will Boost Your Well-Being at Work–Harvard Business Review


Harvard Business Review


August 8, 2023
When it comes to improving your well-being at work, small habits make a big difference — if you practice them consistently. Here are six to prioritize in your daily work-life.
Check in with yourself. Ask yourself: How am I doing today? How am I feeling? Don’t judge your answers or immediately try to “fix” anything. Just become aware.
Take a few short, quality breaks. The key word here is “quality.” This means doing something that helps you disconnect from work, refuel, and recharge (i.e., not scrolling social media, reading the news, or knocking out an item on your to-do list).
Practice acceptance of stressful circumstances — and focus on what you can control. This involves two steps: First, acknowledge the situation with clarity, focusing on the facts. Second, identify one action you could take to move forward with more comfort.
Make micro-connections with colleagues. Make it a point to greet your colleagues with genuine enthusiasm when you’re on a call or when you see them for the first time during the day. Be intentional about reaching out to a colleague to just check in, without focusing your conversation on work.
Be grateful. A daily gratitude practice can be as simple as writing down three things you appreciate every morning or in the evening. By practicing gratitude, you ask your brain to broaden its perspective and focus its attention on things that are positive, meaningful, or comforting.
Recharge after work. It’s important to spend time doing things you love in your personal life. Invest in a hobby; for example, dedicating time to reading or gardening, or trying a new creative activity. The key is to do something that fuels your energy and nurtures your non-work self.
Read the full article: “6 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Well-Being at Work,” by Nataly Kogan
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Due Dilligence

“Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn’t get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded, and a real credit to the company demonstrating their “Older Person Friendly” policies.
One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. “Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang-up job when you finally get here, but your being late so often is quite bothersome.” “Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it.” “Well good, you are a team player. That’s what I like to hear”. “Yes sir, I understand your concern and I will try harder”. Seeming puzzled, the manager commented, “I know you’re retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say to you there if you showed up in the morning late so often?”
The old man looked down at the floor and then smiled. He chuckled, then said with a grin, “They usually saluted and said, “Good morning, Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir”?

How do I become a better professional?

Here are some ways you can become a better professional:

  1. Set goals: Identify areas where you want to improve and set achievable goals for yourself. This will give you a clear direction and help you stay focused on your professional development.
  2. Continuously learn: Stay current with industry developments and trends by attending workshops, conferences, and training sessions. Seek out opportunities to learn new skills and techniques.
  3. Network: Building relationships with colleagues, industry leaders, and other professionals can help you stay informed, get new ideas, and open new opportunities.
  4. Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from your supervisor, colleagues, and clients on your performance and any areas where you can improve. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to make positive changes.
  5. Be proactive: Take initiative in your job, seek new responsibilities and projects, and demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow.
  6. Be reliable and dependable: Meet deadlines, follow through on commitments and be responsible in your actions and reactions.
  7. Be organized: Develop and maintain good organizational skills, allowing you to stay on top of your workload, prioritize your tasks and be more productive.
  8. Be a team player: Show that you can work well with others, communicate effectively, collaborate, and contribute to the team.
  9. Practice good work-life balance: Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally is essential for your overall well-being and will help you perform better at work.
  10. Be ethical: Maintaining a high standard of ethics and integrity is critical to being a respected professional. Treat everyone with respect and fairness, and always act in the best interests of your clients, colleagues and organization.