Happy New Work Year

January 7, 2019

Today 7th January 2019 is officially resumption day for majority of workers in Lagos state/ Nigeria.

Now that the festivities are over, and the decorations have been put away, it feels like someone hit the reset button and ‘life,’ irrespective of routine or familiarity, is starting anew. Feeling lethargy as we resume what we perceive as mundane offices, and stress inducing commutes, is perfectly normal. It’s also normal if the resolve you felt to make your life better at the beginning of the year is fading as well. That said, it is divine, to rise above these emotions and create your own inspiration, and it is so much easier to do so, if you practice these things.

Minimize Distraction

Put your phone in a separate room, or in your bag during work hours. You can divide it into sessions, for every hour of work you do, or every task you complete. You’re allowed to quickly scroll through your phone for relief. If you can afford noise-cancelling headphones, get a pair, and download songs that aid focus. You can find playlists on popular streaming platforms or on YouTube, and if you want to make a custom version, these sounds include raindrops, static noise, or classical music.

Use every emotion as inspiration

It’s easy to be led and influenced by emotions. What is harder is stepping aside from these emotions and using them as fuel for achieving your goals. If you feel good, imagine how much better you’ll feel if you accomplish your task for the day. Afraid of work? Remember that fear is excitement that is held down by doubt, once you face it, it disappears. Feel sadness? Let your agony remind you of all the things wrong with your life, and fill you with resolve to change.

Reward yourself when you accomplish tasks

It’s easy to do work when there’s a more enjoyable activity at the end. For example, deciding to make your lunchbreak a reward for completing all your tasks before then is a strong motivator, and will have the food tasting a lot better. Scrolling through social media can also be a reward after an hour or two of deep work. Basically, adding a bit of pleasure at the end of every task, makes it easier to persevere when it gets hard.