10 Weird but Useful Work Tips to Make Work Better

Are you one of the 85 percent of people who are unhappy and disengaged at their jobs? Since we spend so much of our lives at work, it makes sense to do the best we can to make it less miserable.

These ten weird but useful work tips will help you get through the day with a smile on your face.

1. Go to Work Early

It seems counter-intuitive but getting to work early is one of the best ways to improve a stressful job. Arriving before your co-workers gives you some time to relax and get your mind straight before the day starts.

You also won’t have to deal with feeling frazzled or getting crap from your boss for being late. Once you try this trick, you’ll never look back.

2. Bring Plenty of Snacks

If you’re hangry, your patience with coworkers and customers will be limited. You’ll spend most of the day counting down the hours until you can take a break, and when you finally do get a chance to eat, you’re far more likely to binge on poor-quality food.

Keeping plenty of healthy snacks on hand helps you avoid these negative consequences and will make your day a bit more pleasant.

3. Eat the Frog

The term “eat the frog” refers to getting the most unpleasant tasks out of the way at the very beginning of the day. Take care of the things you don’t want to do but that need to get done before moving on to other tasks.

This will give you a sense of accomplishment and make the rest of the day go much smoother. You’ll also impress your boss by banging out the big, impressive tasks at record speeds.

4. Automate and Systematize

You’ll be happier at your job if you can make work easier. Being more efficient means getting more done with less effort. Take steps to automate and simplify work whenever you can.

Talk to your boss about outsourcing some of the more tedious tasks. Hiring a cleaning crew, using a company to transcribe meeting notes, or working with an external payroll department are all ways to reduce workload and improve the office environment.

5. Personalize Your Work Environment

If you have your own office or cubicle, add some personal stuff to make it your own. Framed photos of loved ones, plants, or even a small fish tank can help make your space feel more like home.

Working in a restaurant, shop, or other environment makes this a bit more difficult, but it can still be done. Whether you add your own fun piece of “flair” to your work clothes or choose a music station you love, the little things truly do make a difference.

6. Take Scheduled Breaks

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in a project that you work for hours straight, but it’s not good for you. Sitting for too long can cause physical issues and working too many hours without a break can lead to burnout.

Set an alarm that reminds you to get up and move around every few hours. Taking a quick walk outside or even just around your office is enough to get your blood flowing. You’ll come back to your desk feeling focused and refreshed.

7. Have Conversations with Your Co-Workers

While you’re up and moving around, make an effort to talk with your co-workers. Getting to know the people you work with is one of the best tips for making work easier. Great conversations make the day more fun and provide a welcome distraction from the long and tedious work day.

Not a fan of your co-workers? Maybe you just haven’t given them a chance. Put forth the effort and try to find at least one person you can relate to.

A word of warning, however. Beware of getting too personal or engaging in office gossip. This will only create drama, which is the last thing you need when you’re trying to make your job better.

8. Disconnect and Reset

Whether you love your job or hate it, constantly taking your work home with you will cause burnout. Choose a time each day when you’ll stop checking your work emails and answering business calls. Avoid obsessing about the work day after it’s over and don’t incessantly vent about it to your loved ones.

Starting a new hobby or planning some fun adult activities will help you disconnect and relax after the work day is done.

9. Use Your Vacation Time

Last year, over 50 percent of American workers took less than five days off from work over the entire year. It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed by our jobs!

Taking regular vacations improves our outlook on life and gives us better mental clarity. Stepping away from work completely helps you reconnect with your loved ones and strengthens your relationships.

10. Start a Side Gig

Finding a way to make extra money on the side can give you a sense of freedom while also padding your pockets. If you find something you’re passionate about, it won’t feel like work. Best of all, having a side gig can change the way you think about your job.

When you aren’t completely dependent on your job for your living expenses, you can see more clearly whether it’s something you truly want to keep doing. If the answer is no, then your side gig can help you transition into doing something more enjoyable.

Are There Not Enough Work Tips on the Planet to Make Your Job Better?

Sometimes, our jobs are so miserable that nothing can make them better. If there aren’t enough work tips on the planet to help you enjoy your job, it’s time to make a change.

There are a ton of legit ways to earn a living by working for yourself. Check out these weird (but lucrative) ways to make money and you might just decide that self-employment is right for you.

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