Note: This is a guest post from Lisa H of Getting to Zen
We have all worked at places that we were less than excited to get up in the mornings and go to; this is an awful feeling. It is much more pleasurable, and less stressful to go to a work environment that is filled with positivity and enjoyment. A positive work environment is not only important for our physical, mental and emotional health, but is also important for the results that we produce for the company. The better we feel at work, the more likely we will take pride in our job activities and be loyal towards our place of employment.
So let’s look at some ways to create a positive working environment.
1. Accept the right position
The first step to creating a positive work environment is to secure a position that positively suits you. Before you accept a position, you should know what your key skills are; what type of work you want to do, what kind of role you would like, where you see yourself in five years, and what kind of environment you thrive in. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to recognize those opportunities that meet those criteria, giving you a running start.
2. Be a positive person
Present an attitude of positivity and approachability. Show coworkers that you are available and wiling to help them. Walk around with a smile, and make eye contact with those you pass in the hallways. Be friendly, pleasant and nice. Talk with kindness, encouragement, civility, and respect. Ask questions before making assumptions. Be fun to work with. Listen to others with interest; and finally, don’t complain, whine or gossip.
3. Take responsibility
Take responsibility for the direction of your career. Ultimately you are responsible for creating an environment in which you can learn and grow. The longer you stay on a “dead-end” career path, the harder it will be to stay positive. If you are not happy with the current directions of your career, communicate that to your manager if you wish to stay with the company; otherwise, look for another job that you feel is a better match.
4. Communicate with your manager
Meet with your manager regularly to ensure you are on track for meeting his or her expectations, and your performance goals. Don’t always wait for your manager to reach out to you. Informing your manager about the status of the activities you are performing shows that you are credible, trustworthy, interested in the business, and committed to your job. You may even consider sending a weekly status report indicating what you are working on, what you have completed, and what you have pending.
5. Be social
Interact with your colleagues in a non-working way. Join a company team or group. Bring a few games in that you can play over your lunch break. Celebrate birthdays, and other special events. Cultivate working friendships. Organize a competitive sporting event. Organize a departmental pot luck lunch. There are so many things that you can do to connect with others while at work.
So, if you are wondering what a positive work environment looks like, here are some signs.
- You are doing a job that you enjoy
- Your ideas are valued
- Your creativity is encouraged
- You feel appreciated
- The job matches your skill set
- You have work friends that you can talk to
- Your manager is approachable
- There is room for you to grow
- You are recognized when you do good work
- You feel like a part of a team
- You look forward to coming to work
- You are respected
- You are happy while at work
- Work is fun
See you in the comments.
Lisa H (aka RunningBear) is a technical writer living in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She enjoys long distance running, cooking, sewing and blogging. Her blog, Getting to Zen, includes articles on personal development, enlightenment, consciousness and awareness.
Photo by mudpig
Comment by Daniel M. Wood
#1 30. July 2010, 5:23 am o'clock |
Loving you job and having a positive working environment is critical to your well being and your future success.
I think you really hit the spot with this article and if you think about all these tips you can easily either create a nice environment or find that the company or industry you are working in just isn’t the right one for you and that it is time to change.
Comment by Roman Soluk
#2 30. July 2010, 7:45 am o'clock |
Being positive is very important. Really nice & helpful tips. Thanks a lot for sharing this, Lisa!
Comment by Lisa
#3 30. July 2010, 7:20 pm o'clock |
Hi Daniel. Thanks for stopping by. I completely agree. No sense is staying at a place that is literally making you sick. It is up to us to create our own destinies.
Comment by Lisa
#4 30. July 2010, 7:35 pm o'clock |
Hi Roman.
Thanks. I find that a happy worker is a good worker. :-)
Comment by Ben Tien
#5 31. July 2010, 12:21 am o'clock |
Nobody will deny that a positive work environment is fundamental for a sound organization. A positive work environment is like a fertile soil that will help to produce a high quality of products and services.
Comment by Steve Berg
#6 31. July 2010, 12:52 am o'clock |
Great article Lisa. I especially agree with the point about soliciting feedback intentionally from your manager. Never assume silence from him/her means things are rosy!
Comment by ira
#7 1. August 2010, 11:50 am o'clock |
Lisa.. Thank you for your tips.
I just want to share my experience,
I have quit from my job, eventhough :
- I was doing a job that i enjoy
- I think that my ideas are valued
But :
- My creativity is not encouraged
- I don’t feel appreciated
- My manager is not approachable
- There is no room for me to grow
- I am not recognized when I do good work
- I don’t feel like a part of a team
- I am not respected
- I am unhappy while at work
- Work is not fun
That was true.
When I arrived at home from office, i was crying.
I love The job, but i didn’t feel comfortable.
And i am happy to escape from the job.
:)
Comment by Brenda Freeman
#8 2. August 2010, 5:54 am o'clock |
Good post. I decided a long time ago that when I was working in a job, then I would make the decision that while I was there, I would make the most out of that experience.
I have had jobs in the past that weren’t ideal, but I focused on why I was there rather than why I didn’t want to be there. When my children were younger, it was to help pay the bills. There was a tangible reason for working.
i also made the decision that if I had to be at work, I was going to enjoy it and make the best of anything that came my way. This made a huge difference to my job satisfaction. Now I have the luxury of choosing where and if I want to work, and still having fun.
Comment by Lisa
#9 2. August 2010, 6:33 am o'clock |
Thanks for stopping by. I completely agree. Sometimes in life we may have to take a job that does not perfectly suit us in order to take care of ourselves and our family. However, this does not mean that we can’t make the best of it or learn something from it–there are growth opportunities every where.
Focusing on why you are there is critical to staying sane in a job that does not suit you well. It also helps to remind yourself that you won’t be there forever, and that it is just a stepping stone on the way to what you really want.
Congratulations on being able to create the career that you want–and enjoy it.
Comment by jonathanfigaro
#10 2. August 2010, 3:08 pm o'clock |
I think the best way to meet people is to join social gathering. So for example if you an author, join a writing club. If you like soccer join a soccer team. If you like sex, well…I can’t help you there, but you get the point.
Be social, Get out there, Make something of yourself and the day you have right now. There is no tomorrow so seek what you want and you’ll find it. Start today.
Comment by Lisa
#11 2. August 2010, 3:22 pm o'clock |
Hey there. Good point. Ever heard the saying you’ll miss 100% of the shots you don’t take? You have to get out an amongst the people.
Comment by Lisa
#12 3. August 2010, 8:04 pm o'clock |
@ Ben Tien. Hi Ben. Love the way you put that. Very true. Only a good fertile soil will yield crops with high nutritional value. The same goes for the places we work.
@Steve. Hi Steve. Thanks. Yes, I find that soliciting feedback is so important to not only keeping the line of communication open, but to building a relationship of trust and reliability. In fact I wish I had learned this earlier in my career.
@Ira. Hi Ira. Sorry to hear about that. That is a hard place to be–when you love the job, but the people there are making it very difficult to enjoy. It sounds like you are on your way to bigger and better things. Good luck with everything.
Comment by rob white
#13 5. August 2010, 3:29 pm o'clock |
Hi Donald,
Very nice article. It is so important to take responsibility for your career. There is a sense of entitlement that creeps in that has people feel they deserve to move up… this has people reach a ‘dead end’ very quickly. Being successful requires going the extra mile… not just showing up to collect a check.
Comment by HP van Duuren
#14 16. August 2010, 4:50 pm o'clock |
Thanks for your post,
The Work environment is definitely something that is important.
I remember years ago during my Military Service getting up in the early morning in the Winter Cold getting out of my tent, right into my ‘Out-door-office’ than washing my face firstly removing the thin layer of ice out of the water with really K-k-k-k-k-kold water!!! :)
Fortunately most office environments usually will have
slightly better conditions.
When you like to read a little about my
- Happy Worker –
‘Out-door-home-office’
Where in Summer I can sit in the Sun, you definitely want to
read my ‘Short Story’ here below:
http://hpshappywriting2.blogspot.com/2010/08/writers-workspaces-that-inspire.html
All the Best,
To your Happy – Work Environment - Inspiration,
HP
Comment by cheska
#15 19. August 2010, 11:12 am o'clock |
I like #2. being positive is really important because everything follows after it. If you have a positive outlook, no matter how hard a situation is, for sure you will find the solution or the answer in no time. having a positive outlook will also reflect a lot in your output at work.
Comment by Ben
#16 19. August 2010, 2:51 pm o'clock |
Hi Lisa
I really like this and your points here. I think an important one for me is “communicating well with your manager” I don’t think I’ve done that recently and I am responsible for the awkward feeling between us. Your tips about meeting regularly has given me a great idea. Thanks!
Comment by Lisa
#17 19. August 2010, 5:49 pm o'clock |
Hi Ben. Thanks.Yes that is a very important one for me too. I know that my relationship with my manager is so good because of it. Sounds like you know what to do. Have great rest of the work week. :-)
Comment by Lisa
#18 20. August 2010, 6:29 am o'clock |
@ Cheska. Very true. Attitude and perspective are everything!!! I find that the more positive I am, the more good I am able to draw into my life. :-)