Benefits of having positive attitude at work

Today's post was written by Breana Orland, a writer for Grants for College. Breana also gives advice on the pursuit of higher education and career options for young adults. The post she's written today will apply to anyone who's ever woken up and though, "Ugh, I don't want to go to work today." Work can be less-than-pleasant at times, but there are many benefits to having a positive attitude at the office. Read Breana's post and learn how you can make the most of your workday!

Work. The word conjures up many images: sitting at a desk, staring at a computer, standing behind a counter, taking notes, taking orders, taking abuse, writing and re-writing, lifting, lugging, flipping, folding, and hauling, not to mention dragging yourself, kicking and screaming, from bed each morning to do it all over again. One thing that most people do not visualize when considering work is a Zen environment in which you remain happy and calm throughout the day, return home stress-free, and wake up excited to face each new day. But you would be surprised at what you can achieve by simply adjusting your attitude to make your dream job a reality (no matter what your current profession is). Make no mistake. Positivity is a choice; one that many of us struggle to attain each and every day. But there are many reasons why a good attitude is important in the workplace.



6 Benefits of a Positive Attitude at Work

1. Less stress. To begin with, it’s healthier for you and everyone around you. More and more studies are showing that stress can bring about a host of physical and mental problems, from insomnia, fatigue, and loss of concentration to more serious ailments like severe depression, bodily aches and pains, hypertension (high blood pressure), digestive disorders (as severe as ulcers), and even heart attack and stroke. You need to nip it in the bud now to avoid both short- and long-term side effects.
2. Happy peers. Your stress level will certainly effect those around you, whether you are so scattered that you can’t organize your thoughts enough to send a coherent email, or you lash out in anger and frustration at a startled (and undeserving) co-worker. Improving your disposition will have a ripple effect that positively influences everyone you come in contact with.
3. Job security. A bad attitude (and subsequent side effects) can get you fired, so take it down a notch, take a deep breath, and take a break before you go off the deep end (and into the abyss). An employee who gets the ball rolling and keeps everyone on track is a much better asset.
4. Boundaries. Having a positive attitude is not only necessary for your health (and job stability), it is also required to enjoy life. But you will have to take steps to get to your happy place. You may not have the career you dreamed of. Most of us don’t end up doing what we want, or even what we plan, but you can’t focus on the negative. Keep in mind that you work to make money. Nothing more, nothing less. You are not obligated to do anything other than provide the services for which you were hired, so setting your limits may help you to keep an even keel in the workplace.
5. Empowerment. Don’t let the man get you down. There will certainly be times when you’ll have to deal with tasks you don’t enjoy, ridiculous deadlines and demands, and rude co-workers or managers. An excellent way is to empower yourself by saying no. If you are unable or unwilling to perform a task, simply say no. It’s not easy, but it will make you feel pretty good.
6. Control. You control your life, your path, and your decisions (including, often, how you feel). So don’t be afraid to leave your job and look for something better. As for difficulties with others in your office, try to be rational and forthright. A lot of people are willing to meet standards of behavior if you let them know their actions are inappropriate. And there’s always the HR department if all else fails.

In the long run, you are sure to hit some brick walls when it comes to maintaining a positive attitude at your job. But the main thing to remember is that you are the one with the power. You can decide to live a positive life, see the good in any situation, and work to resolve conflict in a reasonable and stress-free way. And realizing that you can stay or leave at your will can often make a work situation a lot more bearable. So don’t sweat the small stuff. Just keep your chin up, smile as much as you can, and remind yourself that life is only as good as you make it.

Breana Orland is a writer for Grants for College. Breana also gives advice on the pursuit of higher education and career options for young adults.