Spring, new beginnings and new work habits

​Finally, the dreary winter days are coming to an end. You only have to step outside to see the signs - the sun is shining a little bit more and daffodils are starting to poke out of the soil.
It’s time to snap out of the winter funk and come out of hibernation.
Spring is the perfect time of year to clear away the things that aren’t working for you and kick start some new work habits. As nice as it is to have a spring clean at home, it is your workplaces and work life that tend to pile on the stress. So, think of spring as your mid-year new beginning and pick up some fresh habits to make your work life more productive and less stressful.
Here’s how...

Clear Away the Clutter
It’s hard to feel organized if your workspace is in chaos. A clutter-free desk creates a clutter-free mind. Go through your drawers and trays and throw out the old food wrappers, file the receipts, organize your pens by color or alphabetize your book collection. Come on, it can’t be just me who does this…?
There's nothing quite as motivating as arriving at a pristine work space that’s primed for action.

Hit the Delete Button
So, your actual desktop is bare, and your paperclips are sitting neatly in a wee box. Now comes the REAL decluttering... your virtual desktop.
It can be difficult keeping on top of your virtual workspace. Deleting and sorting those online documents and emails is low on the priority list and high on the “I’ll do it later” list.
Schedule time to correctly file your computer documents and emails so they are easy to access. Your computer has endless ways to help you stay organized - you just need to utilize them.
For example, set a time to clear emails, and deal with them straight away, delete ones that need no follow up, and reply to the urgent ones. Put emails into folders based on the projects they relate to, so you can easily find them.

Give Yourself an Upgrade
It is easy to get comfortable and not push yourself in your career by sticking with the skills you know. This can leave you feeling bored, stuck and uninspired.
Learning a new skill will motivate and rejuvenate you. Not to mention, boost your earning power and expand your career options. There are so many online courses out there on everything from SEO and web design to first aid and leadership. Many are free - or approach your manager about covering the costs - so there is no excuse not to treat yourself to a skill upgrade.
 
Get Moving
Sitting at a desk for eight hours every day can cause numerous health problems - headaches from squinting at a screen all day, RSI from constant typing, or back aches from hunching over a desk.
Take five minutes every hour to get moving. You don’t even have to leave your desk - rotate your ankles, stretch your legs, roll your shoulders and do a couple of back twists to get your body moving. Even better, take your conference call out for a walk around the block for some fresh air.
A workplace massage is also a fantastic way to relieve aches and pains, and to give your tired body to boost it needs. Get in touch with us at Bodyworkz if you are interested in having a couple of our massage superheroes fly into your office. We are nationwide, so it doesn't matter where you are based!
Avoid taking breaks at your desk. No matter how busy you are, you will find yourself much more productive if you get up, get moving, and give your body and mind some downtime. You can return to your desk refreshed and more motivated to get stuck in again.

​Start and finish your day right
Set yourself up for success by starting your day right - make lists every morning that priorities your tasks. Do the urgent and intimidating jobs first (eat that frog, slay that dragon), then reward yourself with the more enjoyable but less important ones.
Work in time blocks - focus for 2 minutes (set a timer) and take five minutes to breathe, drink and stretch before getting stuck in again. Most importantly, don't take your work home with you if you can avoid it. Physically and mentally put everything into a box at the end of the day. Enjoy your downtime and tackle it the next morning refreshed!
Hopefully these are just the tips you need for new Spring beginning, and a bunch of new work habits!