4 Ways to put a Spring in your Step at Work this Spring!

Are you struggling to find the joys of spring at work? Feeling a bit flat or stagnant? The last few months have been tough, so it is totally understandable that Spring may not yet have Sprung for you.

If so, read on for 4 practical ways to help you put a spring in your step at work this May:

1. Spring clean your to-do list

2022 may feel like a distant memory, but maybe you still have tasks hanging around. If you’ve been carrying a task (or tasks) from list to list to list that you never get round to doing, try this:

• Do it. If it genuinely needs to be done, make time to do it. If it’s a huge task then break it down – give yourself a small chunk that you can tick off.
• Dump it. Ask yourself if the task is still relevant? If it’s been on your list for this long and no major consequences have come from not doing it then it may be time to get rid.
• Delegate it. Is the reason you’re putting it off because it actually isn’t your task? Is there someone else who could do it? Should they? Could they do a better job of it? If so, pass it on.

2. SWOT Up

The changing of a season is a great time to take stock and think about the lay of the land. Using a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is both easy to use and hugely effective. This brilliant and simple tool can be used in a myriad of different situations.

If you’re looking for a strategic way to help you make a decision, this is a great starting point. Some specific examples for different uses are:

• Using SWOT to develop your professional relationships
• Using swot to build confidence

3. Tune in

Spring is all about growth and development, therefore it may be time to focus on your personal development. Understanding and honing your emotional intelligence is vital to success at work, from decision making to building positive relationships, to regaining motivation during times of pressure and change. There are five key elements in emotional intelligence:

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Social Skills

If you can learn how to recognise and respond to all five of these, you will be more confident, more resilient and perform even better at work.

4. Work out when you need a break – then take one

Have you been working flat out since New Year? If so, you may not be working in a productive way. If we don’t take breaks, we end up breaking. There are a lot of suggestions online for how often you should take a break in order to reach maximum productivity.

When you are working constantly, it is hard to stay fully engaged in a task for long periods of time. Clock when your concentration starts to drop – is it roughly always the same amount of time? Does it depend on the task?

Start building in breaks just before this drop-off point – even if you just go and make a cup of tea, walk round the block or go to the bathroom. Try to take 10 minutes if you can.

Take a lunch break, give your brain a break, read an interesting blog while you eat, scroll through your media feeds, plug in headphones and catch up on a podcast. Letting your mind rest will make you far more capable for the rest of the day.

Check your batteries at home too.

We all know we’re more effective when we’re not stressed up to the hilt and utterly exhausted. Even a short walk around the park at lunchtime or after you have finished work for the day will work wonders. With the longer days and warmer weather, get out there!