How is your work ethic lately?
Have you ever called in sick, when you actually just could not muster the will power to go in? Or do you feel like you are constantly drained and hate the workplace? Sometimes, people just feel so despondent and unmotivated by the work they are doing, that they feel like this on a regular basis. Instead of buying into it, you might need to acknowledge that this could be a result of lacking work ethic. Thankfully, there are different things you can do that can help you improve this.
Related: Fired From a Job? Turn the Experience into a Positive On Your Resume
1. Get Into a Routine
In order to successfully feel as if you are getting things done and making a difference, you have to be timely. Being timely is best learned through creating a routine. In order to feel calm, on top of things, organized, relaxed, and productive in your office, you can’t be rushing in late to work, skipping meals, or missing your bus. It simply makes you more stressed and keeps you from from being fully productive. Once you are in a routine of being on time you will experience less dread and be more inclined to work harder or better next time.
2. Incorporate Balance Into Your Life
While work is important and something you need to prioritize, balance is ironically the key to staying on top of it. Not everything needs to be about work. Once you accept that and separate your two facets effectively, you will see that they both improve. “You need to separate your life from your work, or else you just build up resentment or what is arguably worse, apathy towards it. This is where routine will help, because it will enable you to get your work done within your work hours, leaving you with time to yourself to facilitate rest and entertainment” says Suzanne Hammond, a Recruiter at Academized and Paper Fellows.
3. Act Professionally At Work
While you obviously want to make friends and enjoy your social time in the workplace, it is also important that you differentiate your home life behavior with how you act at work. This is not to say be boring, or do not have a laugh every now and then, but avoid getting into the habit of complaining about things or getting particularly drunk at office parties. The more you act professionally, the easier it becomes to be professional. You need your colleagues to respect you if you are to do the best job possible, and this can sometimes be lost if you adopt a sense of over familiarity.
4. Keep Focused
There are so many potential distractions that can steal your attention. One of the best ways to keep focused is to remove the potential for distraction from your work space entirely. For instance, do not log into personal accounts on your work computer, like Facebook or Instagram. Do not make personal calls or texts during work hours unless it is your break. Your need to excessively check these things will decrease as soon as you simply refuse to use them unless it is appropriate.
Related: Overcoming Procrastination in Your Career
5. Dress Professionally At Work
Even in a dress-down environment, it is important to dress appropriately. This is not to say you must wear a suit if it is not called for. However, the better you feel, the better you will work. “Avoid looking sloppy, or not brushing your hair, or wearing clothes you would ordinarily wear whilst lying on the couch or around the house” explains Jason Thoms, an HR Consultant at Stateofwriting and Australian help.
Related: Women’s Interview Clothes – Skirts, Slacks, Suits . . . Jeans?
Related: Interview Clothes for Men, Dress for Success? Yes!
The Wrap Up for Work Ethic
Work ethic comes in many forms. Change can only come about from activity, so try out these things in order to reform your attitude and behavior. Often, work ethic is simply a matter of the mind. Once you have accepted this and start making steps towards rectifying it, then things will start falling into place and you will see marked changes in your behavior, mood and the quality of the work you are producing.
Happy Career Hunting! We are here for you!
Need more job search advice?
Join Our Discussion
For more insights and a community of like-minded professionals join our LinkedIn group Resume Help and Advice for Professionals and Executives
About the author: Nora Mork is a business and career journalist and editor at Ukwritings. She shares her knowledge and experience by speaking at public events and writing articles for online magazines and blogs, such as Essay Roo and Boom Essays.
