Improve Your Mindset at Work One New Thing at a Time
Feeling stuck in a rut about work or even life in general? Many of us attach our personal self-worth to our jobs, so when work isn’t going well, we feel down about all aspects of our lives.
While we can’t control everything about our jobs, we can control our own mindset and the actions we take during the day – even if they seem small. I’ve found this to be the key to getting out of a rut and feeling newly invigorated at work.
Changing your mindset isn’t as easy as just telling yourself to think differently. That’s why I decided to try one new thing a week for an entire year. The process of stepping outside of my comfort zone helped me go from feeling fatigued and burned out to feeling more stimulated and engaged.
My new things included everything from trying a new brand of yogurt to learning to speed-skate. None of them had anything to do about work, which made me feel more balanced and helped me care less about professional frustrations that were out of my control.
One New Thing a Week
It all started when I saw someone reading a book in a coffee shop. My first thought was, “I could never do that with my work responsibilities and three kids.” My second thought was, “That’s exactly why I should do that!” And I did. The simple act of doing something new made me feel liberated and invigorated. Soon, I was trying speed-skating, joining a band and starting my own YouTube channel!
If you’re feeling stuck, I invite you to start your journey of trying one new thing a week. Each new thing can be small, even as simple as changing up where you buy groceries. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Make a list. Have new experiences on hand if you’re at a loss for new things to try.
- Save room for spontaneity. Be open to opportunities that come your way and say yes.
- Go with the flow. This is meant to be fun, not stressful. Don’t force it – just do something you want to do.
- Share what you’re doing with others. Let family and friends support you.
- Journal about it. It will be fun to look back on all the new things you learned.
The result when I tried one new thing a week for a year? Slowly but surely, I was transformed. All the bad things at work were still happening, but I didn’t care as much. They no longer spilled over into the rest of my life. My engagement and productivity actually shot up.
Want to get out of your comfort zone and try one new thing a week? Watch my vlog on YouTube to learn more about my challenge. And visit my website at The Brimful Life for more ideas on how to revitalize your routine and find joy, adventure and meaning in your everyday life.
What new things are you excited to try? Post a comment and let me know.
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Beth Ridley is a former corporate executive turned organizational transformation consultant, speaker and author. Beth combines 25 years of global leadership and management consulting experience with expertise in diversity and inclusion and positive psychology to partner with leaders to transform workplace cultures to better achieve their vision and goals. Beth’s work is featured in national publications and she frequently delivers keynotes and workshops at events around the world. Beth lives with her husband and three children in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.