Let’s be honest, we work more hours of the day than most of us sleep or spend time with our loved ones, or doing the things we actually love and enjoy. Work is…well it’s WORK. Some of us actually enjoy our jobs, but overall, the daily work day tends to take a toll on us. We need inspiration to keep our minds at ease and the positivity flowing. Below are some quick and easy steps I take to maintain a positive attitude at work, especially on those super rough days!

1. Start your day with prayer

This is as simple as it gets. Prayer works, so start the day off asking God for a great day and to lead and guide you throughout the day.

2. Read or listen to something inspirational

There are so many uplifting and inspirational devotionals out there. You just need to find the one that fits you best. You can go to your local bookstore (or anywhere they sell books) and purchase a daily devotional. You can also subscribe to a free email devotional from your favorite ministry. I subscribe to Today’s Word with Joel and Victoria Osteen and John Maxwell’s Minute with Maxwell. Every morning, they provide me with thought provoking spiritual and leadership inspiration that I try to embrace throughout my day.

I also subscribe to my church's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/THEWORDChurchChannel where I receive all of my church's latest videos. (Shameless plug I know, but I am proud to say that I am a member of The Word Church located in Cleveland & Akron, OH.)

Or you can also make it personal and write your own inspirational prayer or message to read each day.

3. Listen to your favorite music or radio show throughout the day (if permitted)

I love to listen to The Rickey Smiley Morning Show every morning, especially paternity test Tuesdays--call me ratchet, but it's quite entertaining. I absolutely need laughter throughout my day, plus I love how Rickey Smiley uses his platform to discuss injustices, current events and especially to acknowledge God. My co-workers are constantly asking me what’s so funny, because my mornings are filled with gut busting laughter!

In this day and age, everyone’s music is on their phone, so you can create a playlist with songs that will help keep you motivated to preform your job duties or keep a positive mindset.

4. Tune out the negative people around you

Everywhere you turn, there is always someone complaining about something. If you are not careful, you will quickly join in with your own complaints causing you to lose your positivity. You know the saying “misery love company,” well it truly does, so be careful! Whenever I hear people complaining or being negative at work, I immediately grab my earbuds and turn up the volume.

5. Take ALL of your breaks

My company offers a 15-minute break in the morning, an hour lunch and a 15-minute break in the afternoon. Believe me when I tell you, I take ALL of my breaks! Sometimes, just being able to step away for a few minutes helps to refresh your mind and body.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are times when it’s extremely busy and I might have to forgo a break or work through lunch, but I make it a point to make sure that is not a regular reoccurring thing. So, unless it’s mandatory to skip, do not forgo those much needed breaks!

6. Read or look at something funny

When I sold insurance, it could easily get discouraging after giving my best presentation and knowing the client desperately needed our products, but still said no. After a bad appointment, I would jump on Facebook or Instagram until I came across something so funny that it made me forget my previous appointment. Then, I could go to the next appointment with a fresh outlook.

7. Start a text prayer group

Two of my friends and I would take turns each day to text a group prayer to each other. We each had 2 set days of the week and on Sunday any one of us who felt led would text the prayer for that day. There was no set time or length requirement. Since we were close friends, we each knew what the other 2 were going through or facing that day, so we would say a specific prayer for those situations. If anything arose throughout the day, we could reach out to each other to ask for special prayer, especially when we did not have the strength to pray for ourselves.

8. Think about an upcoming special event or vacation

I love, love, love getting together with my family! Since most of us are spread out in different cities and states, it’s super exciting when we have an upcoming gathering together. Three years ago, one of my cousins was turning 30 and we were meeting in Washington DC to celebrate. It was a really stressful time for me, because I was pregnant, separated from my husband, tired of going to work every day and just needed a break. But just the reminder that Labor Day weekend was coming up and it was going to be filled with laughter, great food and shopping, was inspiration to keep me going on what seemed like the longest work days ever.

9. Keep a list or journal of things you are thankful for

I honestly cannot remember where I got this idea from, but it helps to keep things in perspective. If you just write down one thing you are thankful for each day, it will help you see that no matter what’s going on around you, you are blessed! I guarantee that you will not run out of things to put down on that list.

10. Remember why you are doing this

Whether you love or hate your job, you are getting up and going there to perform your duties every day for a reason. My reason is my son Xavier. Whenever I start to feel stressed or fed up with work, I pull up one of the hundreds of photos of my son in my phone and it immediately puts a smile on my face and reminds me why I’m doing this.

Remember, just because a day starts off bad or something happens to get you off track, DO NOT accept it and say, “this is going to be a bad day.” Once you speak it, it will be. Instead say, “I know this day started off rocky, but it’s already getting better!”

Please comment below and let me know what you do to keep a positive mindset throughout the workday.

FLOURISH Queens!!