Boy, those holidays sure were fun. Time off to spend with friends and family. The festivities and food were great. But now it’s time to go back to work with everything that goes with it. All the work that has to be done, deadlines, more work than people, over time, the boss, and the stress. Read this article to get some fresh ideas to help make this year a better year in the workplace.
Start the New Year With Fresh Satisfaction in the Workplace
By Trudy BrusenbachThe start of the new year is a time to make and honor resolutions – both on a personal and professional level. And one of these resolutions is to increase your satisfaction levels during the hours you spend at work. Our work environment often has a big impact on our mood, motivation, productivity, and job satisfaction.
Recent workplace studies indicate workers rank their work surroundings as the most critical element of job satisfaction…even more than job recognition, compensation, and security. Productivity is highest when a person is relaxed and free of stress, which occurs when an environment is soothing.
All this suggests that a great way to get a jump on the new year is to refresh your workplace ambiance with the latest colors and designs. Even small changes in your work environment is likely to boost your energy, make you more comfortable, and help you make it through long days of important meetings and emails. Here are just a few suggestions:
Personalize your space. Your work space should be your favorite space in the entire office. Add your favorite artwork, photos of your family or friends, a vacation photo, even a picture of your pet. Gentle reminders of your personal life beyond work help get you through the day.
Go green in the new year! The latest studies show that if you add plants to your work environment you will feel more connected with the outside, more alert, and more productive. Plants can also remove common toxins from indoor environments and add oxygen to stale air.
Add color from the latest color trends. Not only will you look stylish to your coworkers, you will also feel more content to spend time in a space where you have chosen the color scheme. The latest trends in colors for [2009] are relaxing and nature-inspired and are accented with a more modern grouping of contemporary contrast colors. Soft neutrals of wheat, cocoa brown, pumpkin orange and cinnamon apple pie soothe even the most stress-filled day. Natural leaf-like greens and organic browns make you feel more in tune with the earth. And for those who desire a more stark contrast, choose crisp clear reds and deep plums to black and whites for a real energy boost.
These simple changes can have a large impact on overall job satisfaction, increase creativity, and get you and your coworkers in the right frame of mind to accomplish great things in the New Year.
