Work is hard enough as it is. And to that end, we have 12 tricks to make work life easier for you. After all, most of us are already over worked and under-paid, so who needs even more stress?
12 Tricks to Make Your Work Life Easier
- Always keep a paper trail. And I do mean always. Unfortunately some people are unscrupulous and will throw you under the bus. Don’t let them. Keep a record of everything you do and document everything. That informal chat where you agreed something? Follow up by confirming with an email.
- Be professional. Work friends are just that. Don’t drop your guard to anyone and never ever join in on gossip.
- Pack your own lunch. It can save you a fortune. Just make sure it’s not something stinky like fish etc. Nobody will want to know you. Don’t be that person!
- Keep a database on your colleagues. Birthdays, kids etc. Easy to fake being thoughtful and keep everyone on your side. Set reminders and get them a card etc. Doesn’t have to be creepy with loads of details. Just enough to feign an interest in their life. You can even use Google Docs to send automated, custom birthday wishes to people. All you have to do is set it up.
- In a management position? Praise people publicly, criticise them privately.
- People keep “borrowing” your pen and never returning them? Never give them the pen with the lid still on. It’s much more likely to come back to you if they can’t pocket it.
- Leave your jacket on the back of your chair. It makes it look as though you just stepped away.
- Always lock your workstation when you step away from it. Windows key plus L. Done.
- Make sure you are friendly with HR / Administration staff. They always know what’s happening before anyone else.
- Take short breaks every hour. Your productivity and concentration levels will thank you. Get a drink. Go to the toilet. Have a stretch.
- Don’t be afraid to ask someone to do you a favor. The Ben Franklin effect states that: “a person who has already performed a favor for another is more likely to do another favor for the other than if they had received a favor from that person. An explanation for this is cognitive dissonance. People reason that they help others because they like them, even if they do not, because their minds struggle to maintain logical consistency between their actions and perceptions.” Worth remembering.
- Dress for the role. Make sure your clothes are washed, pressed and fit you well. It’s unfortunate but in most work settings, being yourself is not a good idea.
There we have it. 12 tricks to make your work life easier. It’s not all there is. Most importantly, you still have to work hard, be on time and not be completely unlikable. But it should help.