HOW TO LIVE A JOYFUL 9-TO-5 LIFESTYLE?

Recently, in my last few coaching sessions, I have heard a lot about the “9-to-5” lifestyle, a lifestyle that is making so many people tired and stressed. However, it is a “must” for people who need to maintain their jobs concerning creating income for their daily expenses. Because I have also already experienced many different fields for a long time, I completely understand what you are going through. Moreover, perhaps among every Truly Inspired reader, some people work at companies with a similar lifestyle like that.

“9 to 5” is not a new concept, whereas it refers to the pattern of working from 9 a.m to 5 p.m every day with most of us spending the majority of time working in the company’s offices. Therefore, no matter what, your mood, emotions, and health will, more or less, always be affected by your workplace environment every day. That is why after a long day of working excessively, many people can suffer from extreme fatigue, the feeling of being restrained, the dissatisfaction with an allegedly pointless life, or they can even suffer from the pressure of reaching the sales target or the need for promotion.

So the main question is how to be happy with the “9 to 5” lifestyle. If you are truly looking for solutions, concerning better adaptation or creating positive emotions when coming to the office every day, these are my suggestions which I thought could be helpful for you:

Start your day with positivity

The way you start a new day will reflect how the day goes later on. If your morning is full of excitement, then it is going to be a whole day of productivity for you. 

For example, if you suddenly feel bored with your daily route to work, bother to try something new the next day such as waking up or going to work earlier. If you go to work by car, try putting down car windows to feel the morning breeze throughout the familiar road that you have driven on every day. I promise you will realize so many more interesting things than before. While putting down the windows, at each red light stop, you can smile and say “Good morning” to anyone that you happen to glance at on the street. Then if you walk to work, you could always give a beggar on the street a few dollars, or give them a small, simple breakfast on the way there.

One more example that you can also do to have a great morning is to try surprising your colleagues by buying them a few cups of coffee or some nice drinks, which suit each individual’s taste, for encouraging them to stay productive and happy at work. Anything you feel that you are capable of doing, do not hesitate to try them. By then, you will be thrilled and the happiness of those who received your surprises will unknowingly cheer you up throughout the whole day, 

This is the way to start a new day which I believe anyone is capable of doing. Using that method, you would always have a truly great day because the joy you created for others means much more than just waiting for someone to bring you happiness. 

Nicely starting a new day can also be practicing a few moves after getting out of bed. When working out, dancing, or doing yoga… the organs in our bodies are warmed up after a long sleep. At the same time, the body also releases happy hormones, which help you feel more refreshed and more cheerful.

Positive emotions at the beginning of the day will always improve your mentality, which helps you to be more prepared for work. You can have small conversations and give your loved ones lots of hugs, write “morning pages” (a form of a personal diary which records your feelings and thoughts every day after waking up), prepare breakfast with your favorite drink, have short, entertaining discussions with colleagues before work,… Try starting your day with something that will make you feel excited and energetic, and I’m sure you will always be enjoying your life every single day.

Build good relationships with your colleagues

As I have mentioned before, one of the best ways to efficiently kick-start a work day is to have a short and entertaining discussion with your colleagues before work. You can invite your colleagues to breakfasts, coffee sit-ins, or just simply have a quick chat at the office before working time starts. I understand not everyone can build a good relationship or have a close colleague at work, but I do believe: Everything starts with yourself.

Hence, if someone has not had a chance to be close to you, you can completely find opportunities to talk to them which helps you both understand each other better. Care and intimacy will also soon be formed through times of supporting each other at work, quick coffee meetings, or small discussions at the beginning of the day about a great idea or an interesting project.

On the contrary, workplace dramas are another cause of many people’s fatigue with the “9-to-5” lifestyle. Therefore, building good relationships with colleagues is also a “secret” for you for an effortless morning working motivation. This is even one of the factors that help keep many people working at a specific company for longer. A common human mindset is they especially love the feeling of being familiar with everyone, and everything surrounding them and the thoughts of knowing they belong there. Moreover, we always feel safer and more confident in front of colleagues with good influences. Thanks to that, we can now more freely express our abilities, as well as our personality in the workplace.

Express yourself well in the workplace to create your unique values

Do these types of feelings often cling to you?

• Bored with your current work because you find yourself not making any significant progress
• Not willing to come to the office because are not seeing themselves creating new values
• Already put lots of effort into searching but you can hardly find any chances to get promotions.
• ….

Through many working sessions with my Coachees, times where I observed my colleagues in the company, and even times where I drew many life lessons from myself, I realised that everyone has the mentality of wanting to be recognized by others, especially at work. If a person is highly appreciated for his working ability, then they will be more likely to stay and become loyal to the company. 

There are two reasons why “9-to-5” office life is boring and meaningless in most people’s perspectives: you chose the unsuitable working environment or you were not truly trying to be as positive as possible at the workplace.

Choosing an unsuitable working environment also has two reasons: the job is not suitable for your expertise or surrounding you are toxic colleagues. “Toxic” here can be understood as always unnecessary competing and creating dramas, or “toxic” can also be used to describe those people who never want to put any effort into working, yet always expect high results. These people would always find perfect opportunities to try to “push” you down if you are seen as more talented than them.

To make a “9-to-5” life more meaningful than the two scenarios above, the most important thing for you to do is focus on yourself!

If you have not had an achievement yet, then just focus on creating something new, even if it is just something small in the beginning.

If you feel like you have tried your best but still feel this job is not suitable for you, then allow yourself to take a break and consider other opportunities from the outside.

If you feel that your colleagues are not making your life any easier, but you deeply appreciate and are passionate about your job, just ignore them and just consider them as ordinary partners in your workplace and never allow them the opportunity to put a bad influence on your career.

Believe in yourself!

Any effort you have made will surely be noticed by your superiors. However, if you keep staying in a place where you never receive any encouragement or support, then just boldly leave it and find a more suitable workplace for yourself!

The door that you are about to close might be able to open up a more beautiful and liberal new horizon for you, spread your wings to help you to fly higher, to act more productive in life, so why not leave that toxic place, right?

Do not worry about being disadvantaged or not being recognized as, soon or later, your efforts will be seen by colleagues and superiors. In addition, do not let shyness cause you to miss out on opportunities to express yourself at work.

Truly Inspired believes that each person has strengths to develop. Whether it is physical strength or great personalities, as long as they are being exploited efficiently, they will give you great confidence and your company will always have a remarkable employee.

Acknowledge your own “accomplishments”

I have a friend who is very modest and is afraid to talk about himself because of the fear that his sayings would appear as bragging from others’ perspectives. My friend is the type who always silently works hard, and does not like to talk much about what he has achieved at work to people. However, that goes against the normal human mentality of wanting to be recognized. Over time, when no one recognizes your hard work or achievements, even you would no longer acknowledge your efforts, which later leads to your mind becoming dull and you gradually losing your initial enthusiasm. It goes the same for my friend as ever since then, he is no longer energetic or interested in his work anymore. 

It was such a pity when I heard that, the 24-year-old young man, who was enthusiastically making his first steps in life, with the main goal being dedication, learning, and promotion, is now just a silhouette of a man in his forties who comes to the office day just to try and “get the job done”, the job he used to adore so much in his young ages.

Did you learn anything from this story?

We are taught about humility but are not being told to take pride in what we have done. Each of your achievements, in work or daily life, is the result of your efforts and abilities. You completely deserve compliments from yourself, and from everyone else. Therefore, instead of being hesitant to mention them, you need to learn the way to recognize your effort and yourself. It is even better if you reward yourself with small gifts sometimes when you achieve something. This will help motivate you to do better in work and life.

Create an inspiring workspace

A suitable workspace not only helps you feel more comfortable but also inspires you to be more creative, and productive, thereby pushing you to discover more values. You can decorate your desk with a small family framed picture or a favourite item of yours. Tidiness and the feeling of cleanliness are also necessary for you to stay more focused while working.

Apart from that, an inspirational workplace is where you see many people who are also dedicated to their work. In short, it is recommended that you should choose the right, suitable working environment for yourself to maximise your best potential.

Only spend time on necessary tasks

At your office, sometimes it is not just the assigned tasks that you have to be worried about but it is likely you will need to support your colleagues. I am not advising you to refuse it, but you also need to consider the amount of time and ability you have, then organise what to do so it would not affect both sides.

Another problem while working is that we often find it difficult to concentrate for long periods. Furthermore, we are also easily distracted by events that are going on around us, or even, by what is going on in our minds. They are very time wasting and energy-consuming.

There are also these types of people who can only stay focused when they are at work, yet after the moment they come home, they just stay in one place watching TV, scrolling through the phone, eating snacks… These habits accidentally “steal” your time and health. Maintaining this lifestyle in the long term would lead to physical illnesses and laziness in any activities that involve deep thinking.

Therefore, to live a better “9-to-5” life, you should only spend time on necessary things and quality, even at your workplace or at home.

I usually spend time after work for myself and sometimes only with my loved ones. I read books, watch my favourite movies, cook, and talk to my family. I also enjoy soaking in a herbal-scented bathtub while sipping hot tea with some healthy homemade cookies.

You know, a personal life that is filled with bliss and happiness will help you work with a pleasant mind and the willingness to devote more.

Practise cultivating gratitudes every day

Practising cultivating gratitudes is a soul-healing method that I apply every day. When you are grateful for the things you have in life, you will recognize that you have so much. Experienced bosses, friendly colleagues, great incomes, or even your existence, the air to breathe, the food you eat to keep you alive, etc. Everything, from the tiniest bits to most significant things, is a blessing that you deserve to receive in this life. Learn to appreciate them to truly understand how well-being you are.

I often practise expressing my gratitudes every morning when I wake up and before I go to bed. I say “Thank you” and “Sorry” several times throughout the day. These little things make me feel happier, more satisfied with my life, and have better relationships than before.

Everyone will have different ways to be happy with the “9-to-5” lifestyle. Truly Inspired hopes the suggestions above will help you balance your daily personal life and work life better so that every day at work will be less stressful and more enjoyable for you.

Much love,

Truly Inspired