Dr. Floyd Williams, Chicago, on How to Be More Positive at Work

In a previous blog post, I addressed the power of positivity and how it can improve your personal and professional lives. I highlighted the many benefits a positive attitude can have in your workplace. Now, I’d like to address some concrete ways you can work on becoming more positive at work, no matter how you feel about your job or what challenges you’re facing. Learning to be more positive at work can help you enjoy your job and achieve more success.

Avoid workplace drama

One of the best ways to become more positive at work is to make sure you avoid any workplace drama. Even the best workplace has some difficult people who can cause problems, so it’s important that you surround yourself with positive people. You can do everything right to stay positive, but if you surround yourself with negative people, it’s going to be difficult to remain positive yourself.

Keep work and life separate

While it’ll never be possible to keep your personal and work lives completely separate, trying to maintain this line as much as possible can help you avoid bringing problems from life into your workplace and vice versa.

Take productive breaks

Throughout the workday, aim to take regular breaks. It can be easy to feel bogged down at work and you might feel like you need to keep working through a break time, but taking regular breaks helps you step back from everything at work. Taking a short walk or running errands clears your mind and allows you to return to your desk with better focus.

Create a great environment

It’ll be easier to feel positive at work if you have a nice environment around you. Make your desk somewhere you enjoy being at; put pictures of your family and friends around, keep it organized, and decorate in a way that you like. Having a great environment to work in makes it much easier to feel positive at work.

Set attainable goals

It’s important to create goals for yourself in order to stay on track, but you should also make sure that these goals are actually attainable. Even if you set loftier goals for yourself, make a plan of smaller steps you can take to reach smaller goals in order to keep yourself motivated. As you meet your attainable goals, you’ll feel positive about what you’re accomplishing at work.

Remind yourself of achievements

When you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, it can be easy to lose sight of what you’ve already accomplished. Keep track of achievements at work and if you feel stressed out, set time aside to remind yourself of how far you’ve come and the evidence that you can accomplish even more.

About the Author

Dr. Floyd Williams is an education leader who has decades of experience in his field. He's worked in many positions within education, starting as a reading and math teacher and eventually moving all the way up to the position of superintendent. Floyd recognizes that students must be the focus of a school district and it is through them that true success is achieved. Students need educators who are dedicated to helping them make the most of their potential and work tirelessly toward their goals. Dr. Floyd Williams also feels passionately about the importance of diversity and helping those students that are disadvantaged get the tools they need to truly succeed. He believes mentorship is an incredible tool as well as continuously learning how to be a strong leader.