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February 21 2008

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17 Ways to Create the Perfect Workday

work, stress, jobIt’s easy to get overwhelmed by your workdays, but it is possible to create an environment where you can allow yourself to be more relaxed and happier. The first step is the realization that you are in control of your day, and the belief that you can create the perfect workday, too.

This Zen Habits article offers a number of great tips to create a peaceful, relaxed workday. Here are 10 of them (click the link below for the full list of 17):

1. Do Less. Learn to reduce the amount you do -- perhaps you could choose three important things to achieve each day, the ones that will have the most impact on your life.

2. Start the day with a relaxing shower or bath. This will get you in a relaxed mood, which is much better than starting the day stressed out.

3. Get in some morning exercise. It will relax you, and gives you a sense of well-being and accomplishment.

4. Create a clutter-free environment. Clutter-free surroundings create a peaceful working environment.

5. Turn off the distractions. This includes phones, email notification, instant messaging, anything that will break into your focus.

6. Take breaks and stretch. Get up, stretch, massage your shoulders, neck and head; it will keep you relaxed throughout the day.

7. Roll with the punches. There will always be things that go wrong. When things get overwhelming, take a step back to get some perspective.

8. Work when it’s quiet. This may be early in the morning, during your office lunch hour, or late at night -- choose whatever works for you so that you can get some solid work in without distractions.

9. Cut back on your commitments. Choose four to five things that are absolutely essential, and then eliminate the rest over time.

10. Focus on the present. Rather than worrying about what you have to do in the future, or reliving things that happened in the past, focus on what you’re doing right now.

Sources:

  Zen Habits February 3, 2008


Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Job stress is the number one source of stress for American adults, according to The American Institute of Stress, and it’s been getting progressively worse over the past few decades.

Aside from the stress caused by job insecurity, studies show that Americans are working longer hours, taking fewer vacations and generally have less leisure time to unwind.

Stress, of course, is one of the worst things for your body and mind, so any methods you can use to make your workday more peaceful could have a beneficial impact on your health. Consider, for instance, that feeling stressed about your work can:
And the more you dread going to work, or worry about what you have to get done, the worse your stress will become.

Creating a Calm Workday

Unfortunately, not everyone can change careers to find something that they truly love (although if this is even a remote option for you I suggest you go for it). The good news is that by changing your mindset you can also change your experience, even at work.

I strongly believe, though, that one of your best strategies is to invest in some serious reflection time and seek to identify what you are truly passionate about. If you discover that you are not already doing that at work then seek to change your circumstances as rapidly as possible to allow you to become involved in your passion.

This one simple trick will nearly instantly help lessen the impact of stress because you will love what you are doing.

Further, along with taking the practical measures described above, such as prioritizing your tasks and focusing on just a few that are the most important, you can also work on keeping your outlook about work positive.

I've found that energy psychology tools work extremely well for this. There are many effective ones out there but I regularly use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT); it’s the tool used in my practice and the one I use in my personal life.

EFT is a form of psychological acupressure based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for thousands of years, but without the invasiveness of needles.

It is absolutely amazing how effective and powerful this simple tool can be. I find one of its most useful benefits is to manifest goals in your life.

Another tool you can use to simplify your workday, and your life, is David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I credit his work for helping me achieve so many of my goals. It is one of the finest systems in the world for helping you to get organized by clearing your mind.

So remember, even if you can’t change the circumstances of your job, you can change your reaction to it. By using EFT to release your emotional blocks (such as fear of losing your job) and taking practical measures to organize your day, you will find more enjoyment in life, including while you’re on the job.


Related Links:

  The Fear of Losing Your Job Can Harm Your Health Far More

  61 Tips to Help You Save Time on the Job and at Home

  Apply the 80/20 Rule to Everything

  Stop Procrastinating with the Secrets of Productivity




Comment on This Article
Comment on This Article Community Comments (11)
 
 
Posted On Feb 06, 2008
These are great suggestions, and I've found that many do in fact help. However, I work in a lab with six other people scattered around the room.  We all have a good rapport, which sometimes makes things difficult because people can get chatty..and frequently other grad students come by and visit so there's always a conversation of some sort occurring. So, we've adopted a "headphones" strategy.  When people have their headphones on, we know that person is not to be bothered.  I personally put on some quiet classical music.  My significant other puts earplugs in and he places the headphones over his ears just to shield the noise.  Other labmates put various other types of music on.  It's a great strategy when working in a hectic atmosphere that can't be made more calm and serene.

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CSR
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Posted On Feb 05, 2008
Also, POWER NAPS!

;-)

Uncle Russ

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Russ Bianchi
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shaneperrone
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Posted On Feb 06, 2008
It might just be me, but power naps really wreak my day, it just slows me down for the entire rest of the day.

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Posted On Feb 07, 2008
Ditto that Shaneperrone.  

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Posted On Feb 21, 2008

I stupidly bought one of those Zen Chi machines a few years ago when they were popular (you lay on the floor and put your feet on top of the machine and it moves from side to side creating a swaying effect with your lower body).  

In the last 6 months I've dusted it off and now use it for my power naps during the day.  It has a 15 minute timer after which it switches off.  The sudden stopping of the machine and the side to side motion of my lower body brings me back to reality feeling revived and recharged.  If I try and just nap for 15 minutes it feels sooooo good that I get up wanting more and feel disgruntled that I can't.  So the Zen Chi works for my power naps and it makes a BIG difference to my focus and ability to tolerate stress for the next few hours.

Sarah

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qualitygeek
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Posted On Feb 26, 2008

So it was not such a stupid  purchase after all...

ou want to hear about stupid purchases? When my son was little & we were young/dumb, a salesman talked us into investing in our child's education with a set of encyclopedia's that with the usury interest rate ended up costing us $1800 & our son never used them thanks to Al Gore inventing the internet. THAT was a stupid purchase. Your zen chi machine was an OK purchase that has now proven itself.

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Posted On Feb 05, 2008
Don't forget EFT for the things that don't respond to the above list.

Mary

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mmc88121
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Posted On Feb 21, 2008

I also bought one of those Zen Chi machines fifteen years ago, and it continues to be one the best investments I've ever made-- not only for the excellent physical, emotional, mental benefits, but also, as Sarah wisely points out, it's a great little "power nap" rejuvenator.

Pam

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agua
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Posted On Feb 21, 2008

Never heard of one of those machines. Sounds interesting. I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.zzzzz

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Posted On Feb 22, 2008

I find that blaming everything that goes wrong on my evil boss helps with my stress tremendously :)

Just J/k...

I have found that starting your morning off with about an hour to get up and relax makes the rest of the day go by much smoother!

And of course getting lot's of sleep

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