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A new year presents a sea of new possibilities, especially for our work lives and careers. It’s a time for making resolutions and setting goals. It’s a chance to attack our work with new vigor and passion.
To help you be successful in 2016, we’ve put together a list of five great ways to start the new year in the office. These practices will not only get your year off to a great start, but practiced long-term, they can transform the way you work
1. Lighten your load
Whether you have an assigned desk or you’re a mobile worker, take the beginning of the year to clean out the clutter. Papers from three months ago, the trade publication you’ve been vowing to read and stale snacks that live in your desk or your bag should all be discarded. After purging your workspace, you’ll feel as if you’ve lost 10 pounds without ever hitting the gym.
This is also a great time to commit to going digital with your files. Create a new system for notes, to-do lists and documents that reduces the amount of paper you have to keep.
2. Change your space
In the new year, get in the habit of changing where you work to accommodate your current task. Intense focus work requires a more private space, while the buzz of coworkers may offer the perfect background for a collaborative project. A change of surroundings can help energize you during a mid-afternoon slump, and a different posture – from sitting to standing or reclining – can enhance your focus.
Scout a few locations in the office that support your varying work modes and start using them on a regular basis. You’ll immediately experience the difference.
3. Use technology more effectively
Technology has infiltrated our everyday lives, but we often use it in ways that increase our stress. For instance, the average person checks email 15 times a day, but a study from the University of British Columbia suggests that checking your email less (they recommend three times a day) can make you happier.
Be more efficient about your use of technology in the office this year. The integration of tabletop power and contemporary desk accessories may have you finding yourself working more productively and happily than before.
4. Spend more time in the kitchen
Most people desire to spend less time in the kitchen – after all, who enjoys doing all those dishes? – but the office café is a great place to build camaraderie and engage with teammates.
Invite coworkers for coffee or lunch and spend time talking about family and personal interests. You may find the conversation segues into a discussion about a work issue, resulting in a creative solution.
5. Make the office feel like home
People spend a lot of time in the office, so we recommend introducing touches of home to make it a comfortable and desirable space where you want to spend their time. The application of greenery, artwork, personal items and comfortable landing areas can make an office feel homier to employees.
Create an office lounge with lounge chairs and sofas that are reminiscent of a cozy living room. Providing employees with an oasis from their desks and devices can be both invigorating and welcoming.
Do you have a tip for a great start to the new year in the office? Share it with us in the comments below.
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