Work attitude greatly affects productivity and work performance. A positive attitude will bring success in a career, while a negative attitude will hinder yourself. Coworkers and customers will stay away from employees who behave badly at work. A positive mindset also makes you happier at work and more comfortable with yourself. Therefore, if you want to have a positive work attitude, start changing your behavior to improve work performance.
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Part 1 of 5: Finding the Causes of a Negative Work Attitude
Step 1. Know when you start being negative
Are you used to being bad at work? Maybe it's only recently that your attitude has changed. Did you get a new assignment or title? Is your job getting tougher or is there a new boss? Has the coworker you were closest to recently quit your job? Do you currently feel like you have no friends at work? Maybe there has just been a reorganization of the company. You can determine the cause of your negative attitude by finding out when you started acting like this.
- If you're not a person who behaves badly at work, it's probably not entirely your fault. In human relationships, abusive bosses and negative coworkers can have a big impact.
- If you used to enjoy working, but not anymore, think about what has changed. Is it because of the new position? Maybe you still need to adjust. Have you recently experienced a change in your daily life? For example, when you were younger, you enjoyed working as a salesperson, but ten years later, you want to earn more than you have earned as a salesperson. Feelings of disappointment or failure tend to trigger bad work attitudes.
Step 2. Keep a scheduled diary
Every few hours, keep a journal to record your attitude while in the office. Do you see a certain pattern? Do you behave badly in the morning or in the afternoon when you are tired? Does your attitude change when you meet someone? The attitude of your co-workers can also affect you. For example, if you have to meet a negative coworker every afternoon, this person may be influencing your attitude. Being aware of mood swings during your day-to-day work can help you determine when and with whom you tend to behave badly.
- If during the day you are sleepy and feeling irritated, an easy way to deal with it is to take a short walk or eat a healthy snack.
- If you tend to feel irritated after interacting with someone, such as a boss or coworker, try to deal with it by doing something. Taking action to deal with negative influences at work makes you happier and more productive.
Step 3. Observe your feelings
Now that you know when you initially behaved badly and whenever this tendency appeared, think back to how you felt at that time. Record everything you feel in a journal to determine the appropriate course of action, such as feeling disappointed, tired, bored, or unappreciated.
For example, imagine that you are reading the following note in your journal: “I was scolded by my boss for being late for an assignment. I feel ashamed and very stupid.” Based on this note, you need to give your boss a suggestion that he or she speak in a more constructive way and remind yourself that you're not an idiot just for making the mistake
Part 2 of 5: Eliminating Negative Attitudes
Step 1. Take responsibility for your attitude
Although environmental conditions can affect how we feel, you can make a difference by deciding how to deal with your environment. You and only you can determine how to respond to the current situation. Remember that changing yourself is the first step to improving your attitude.
- For example, if you have to deal with a negative boss or co-worker, you always have the choice of giving a negative response or a positive response. Do you let the problem get bigger or do you choose to fix things?
- Negative attitudes can spread to other people. Don't let yourself be the trigger.
Step 2. Avoid things that trigger a negative attitude
Do you always feel negative after reading a certain newspaper? Do you feel less energized after watching the morning news on TV? Once you know what's causing you to behave badly, try to avoid it.
If you can't reduce your exposure to negative triggers, change your response. When you see something unpleasant, such as watching news about a natural disaster, think about whether you can help, for example by donating money, clothes, food or time? Think of positive actions you can take in response to negative things
Step 3. Reduce interaction with negative people
If you have a coworker who is constantly pissing you off, reduce your interactions with them. If you still have to interact with him, ask him positive things about his job or what movies he likes. Lead the conversation by discussing a positive topic.
Part 3 of 5: Talking to Coworkers
Step 1. Communicate well
When you talk about certain topics, let alone less pleasant ones, you may tend to have a negative attitude. Remember that a negative attitude will provoke others to be negative. Follow some of these tips to keep yourself positive:
- Instead of responding to the other person by saying: "Bad idea, it's doomed!" you'd better say, "If you have some free time, there's something I want to talk to you about."
- Express your opinion directly. Don't be passive aggressive in your communication by saying unpleasant or sarcastic things. For example, if you're upset, instead of saying: "It's okay, why should I be angry?" you'd better say: “I feel offended by what you said in front of other coworkers. Can we talk?”
- Don't gossip. The habit of gossiping at work can cause big problems that trigger negative attitudes.
Step 2. Show a positive attitude
Even if your heart is upset, greet other people with a cheerful face. Don't spread gloom at work. Remember that your words will express your feelings and beliefs. Talk about positive, uplifting things at work. Give smiles, compliments, and support to others.
If you are experiencing difficulties or misfortunes, talk to your boss or a close friend at work to let them know that you need support
Step 3. Resolve problems with coworkers
If you are upset by a coworker's negative attitude, approach it in a polite manner. Maybe not only are you annoyed, but they are reluctant to discuss the matter with them.
Use the words "I" or "I". For example: “There's something I want to talk to you about. Lately, you've been talking about a problem client a lot. I can understand what it's like to deal with an annoying client, but I get annoyed at work if you keep being negative. Can you tell me what's really going on?" Use the words “I” or “I” to avoid the appearance of blaming or judging others so that your partner doesn't feel attacked
Step 4. Listen to what your partner has to say
Listen carefully as your partner explains the problem so you understand what he or she is going through. Maybe he was burdened by thinking about his sick mother. Maybe he's worried about not being able to do a good job or feeling unappreciated as a team member. Once you know why he's acting negative, you can help him change his attitude. In addition, he will feel happy because someone is willing to listen to his complaints.
- Show empathy by saying: “Your problem seems very serious.” or “I feel very sorry to hear of your predicament.”
- Even if the conversation doesn't go smoothly, it shows that you're working to resolve the issue. If you need support from personnel or your boss, you can say that you've spoken to this person, but nothing has changed.
Step 5. Identify the characteristics of a boss who likes to be rude
Anyone can be upset, but there are people who like to bully others at work. You will have a hard time being nice at work if you have to deal with a boss who is rude or criticizes in a non-constructive way.
- Unacceptable behavior: intimidating, harassing, deceiving, demeaning, criticizing personal matters, insulting, and attacking others. If the abusive behavior is repeated, you can sue legally.
- For example, a boss who behaves rudely criticizes your work by saying, “This report is terrible! Even a child can make a better report!” You can sue him legally.
- Many bosses do not have good communication skills. For example, if your boss criticizes you by saying, “This report is still not good. Fix it right away!” such style of speech is not rude behavior, but not helpful. You will also feel uncomfortable hearing it. If the way your boss communicates can still be improved, it's best if you talk to him directly.
Step 6. Talk to your boss
Dealing with a boss who is rude to you or others makes it difficult for you to be nice at work. Maybe you are afraid to talk to your boss, but a negative boss makes you less efficient at work and always feeling anxious. When talking to your boss, consider your position carefully, be polite, tactful and tactful.
- Discuss this issue from the aspect of cooperation. Keep in mind that your boss may not realize that his or her behavior is causing problems and have no intention of hurting other people's feelings. For example, you might say, “I'm having trouble at work. If you don't mind, I'd like to discuss how to solve this problem."
- Look for common ground. For example, you might say, "I understand that we want to make sure that the projects we work on deliver the best results." That way, the boss can understand that you also have the same end goal.
- Be open and respectful. Use the word "I". For example, “I can improve my work performance if I get general feedback and it would be even better if you could provide specific feedback on my report?”
- Be honest. If your boss speaks in a belittling, harassing, or contemptuous tone, say so, but don't judge. For example, “I feel offended because you scolded me in front of my co-workers last week. It's better if you ask me to talk one-on-one to explain what I need to improve." Expressing your feelings honestly and politely is a way to help your boss communicate with you better.
- Don't be passive aggressive because you can't express your needs and wants to your boss by acting like this.
Step 7. Apologize
If your negative attitude affects other coworkers, apologize to them. Explain that you are having a hard time, but are working on improving yourself. Ask a coworker to remind you of your appointment if you are being negative.
For example, “Guys, lately I've been complaining a lot about the company and my daily work. I'm sorry for spreading negative energy in the office. I am very grateful that the company has provided the facilities and support I need. From now on, I will be more positive!”
Part 4 of 5: Be a Positive Person
Step 1. Learn how to be positive
Once you know what triggers you to be counterproductive, think about how to deal with those triggers. For example, if you tend to behave badly when you feel tired, try to get a longer night's sleep and rest after lunch before returning to work. If your job is less challenging and feels boring, ask your boss to give you a new assignment.
Step 2. Form a positive mindset.
What you think will affect how you feel. In order to control your attitude, pay attention to your thoughts and focus on the positive. Get rid of negative thoughts by forming positive thinking habits.
- For example, when you start to get annoyed because the person next to you is sitting on public transportation, remember the convenience you get from being able to take public transportation. Think on the positive side, for example, you don't have to drive your own car in a traffic jam.
- Remind yourself that you have to stay positive when facing stressful times. Before leaving for the office or starting an important meeting, calm yourself down and imagine that everything is going well. If a negative thought comes up, "Actually I don't want to go to the meeting because Sarah is always criticizing everything I do." try to change it by thinking: “I want to hear Sarah's opinion on my presentation. His input must have been very useful.”
- You have to practice to think positively. Don't despair if you come back to negative thoughts from time to time.
- Stoic theory supports a positive mindset, but you can also imagine worst-case scenarios if you keep dwelling on negative moments. Often, your ability to cope with things is greater than you think. Read the wikiHow article explaining Stoic theory to learn more about it.
Step 3. Express gratitude
Make a list of things you are grateful for, for example by writing down positive aspects of your personality or good friends. Think of all the things that make you feel grateful and share them with others. Reflect on the pleasant events you have had throughout the day and do this as a bedtime exercise.
- Change bad attitudes by being grateful more often. When you feel upset and end up being late for a meeting because there is a roadwork that causes traffic jams, change the negative attitude by saying thank you. Pay attention to your surroundings and find things to be grateful for, for example: good health, mental calm, physical strength, close friends, family, or the beauty of nature around you.
- Realize your existence in this world humbly and be grateful for how beautiful life is. View your life as a gift, not as a right.
Step 4. Say positive affirmations
Harmonize your thoughts by saying positive affirmations throughout the day. Make sentences that express strength, confidence, and self-confidence. For example, “Today, I will be using my knowledge in information technology to improve my company website. I will work diligently, diligently, and give the best results.” You can train your subconscious mind to think positively by saying positive affirmations several times a day. The positive response you send to your subconscious will trigger positive feelings that move you to action.
- Make affirmations that focus on what you can control. Positive affirmations that depend on the other person's actions or responses are useless because you can't control other people's behavior.
- Examples of ineffective positive affirmations: “Everything will go well today!” because you have no control over it. Your partner may be upset. Important files may be missing. At lunch, your drink spilled on your shirt. However, if you make the affirmation: “I am strong enough to face what will happen today”, you are focusing on what you can control so that the affirmation is useful.
- Many people have a hard time getting rid of negative thoughts. If you are experiencing the same thing, admit that you have negative thoughts. Accept the fact that no one is perfect, but focus on the positives you have.
Step 5. Visualize your better self
How do you see yourself? Are you smiling or seeming friendlier? Studies in the psychology of achieving high performance show that successful people, like Nelson Mandela, use visualization to develop their skills and talents. The way to convince yourself that you are capable of being nice is to imagine it.
Visualize your positive attitude in as much detail as possible because more detailed visualization makes your goals easier to achieve
Part 5 of 5: Showing Good Work Attitude
Step 1. Face your work with a realistic attitude
Understand carefully how you should approach work. Accept the fact that less fun tasks will always be there. However, work on staying positive. Reward yourself with a cup of coffee or give yourself another treat after a hard day's work.
Step 2. Set goals for yourself
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Complete tasks in the way that works best for you. For example, to complete a large project, define some intermediate goals that are more achievable. You will feel success every time that goal is achieved. In the end, the way you approach work will improve because you see goals that are getting closer to reality.
For example, if you have to complete a large, stressful project, start by dividing this project into smaller tasks. Examples: seek market information on Monday, consult a small business advisor on Tuesday, write a report outline on Wednesday, draft on Thursday, and revise on Friday. When compared to big end goals, this method is easier to do and makes you feel more positive when the intermediate goals you set are achieved one by one
Step 3. Have a meeting with your boss
Explain that you've figured out how to improve productivity to give you the best possible performance. Complete your current task to the best of your ability and ask your boss to assign you a new one. Discuss the possibility of implementing a new work pattern or schedule. If there is a company activity that requires volunteers, ask your boss if you can participate.
- When discussing with your boss, you can improve working relationships and show that you are a person who works with full responsibility and really cares about work performance. This method has a positive impact on yourself.
- Ask for opportunities to work with people who inspire you. Working with someone who is positive at work helps you learn to be positive.
- Ask your boss if he would like to give you an assignment so you can improve your ability to be positive at work. Maybe you need to take on new responsibilities that are more in line with your strengths and the work goals you want to achieve.
Step 4. Redefine your role
Even if your job doesn't change, adjust the way you see yourself. Instead of focusing on title or rank, think about what you need to do in order to make a more useful work contribution. Look at your daily tasks from a different perspective. If you've been working as an administrative staff focused more on sending emails and answering phone calls, see yourself as a person who supports entrepreneurs to communicate well and make important transactions. People who are able to carry out this function are usually more needed than clerek.
