workplace success

Why you should let your emotions flow, even at work.

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Most of us have been told to put our emotions aside at work and be all-business, all the time. Women tend to hear this message more often than their male counterparts, regularly being told they are being "too emotional" when it comes to high-stress situations, differences of opinion, high-stakes business matters, or even when they are just having a bad day. But no matter our gender, for the most part, the only emotions employers hope for or want to see in the workplace is happiness. Happy workers lead to productivity and overall success for the company, right?

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Yes and no. Happiness is certainly important, both on a personal and professional level. Without feeling a sense of satisfaction, a person's well-being as well as their workplace performance is sure to suffer. Yet happiness is so much more complex than an outward cheery disposition and a plastered-on smile.

As per Business Insider, "Happiness is not just about developing positive emotions, it has two other constituent parts: purpose and resilience. Having a clear and meaningful purpose is a key element in sustaining long-term happiness."

A large part of our purpose is what we do with our lives and how we feel about doing it. What we do for a living makes up a great portion of most people's sense of purpose, and even if we are happy in the general sense, having the ability to deal effectively with our other emotions will help us maintain and even increase this sense of contentment. Like Business Insider puts it, "Developing resilience is the third highly essential component of happiness, as it enables us to deal effectively with negative emotions when they arise."

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That is why we must allow ourselves to embrace our emotions – even at work – to remain, or even become happy, as well as a useful force in the workplace. Bottling up negative emotions will not lead to happiness – just the opposite. Workers may become frustrated, temperamental, or no longer have the drive to put in much effort. Not only should we be able to identify our own emotions, but those of the people around us as well, known as emotional intelligence.

As per Psychology Today, emotional intelligence includes three skills, "Emotional awareness; the ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes regulating your own emotions and cheering up or calming down other people." This intuitive behavior is what makes working with others impactful and successful. In fact, TalentSmart notes, "People with a high degree of emotional intelligence make more money—an average of $29,000 more per year than people with a low degree of emotional intelligence."

Not to mention, emotions are what makes us human. With so much technology being developed and perfected every day, computers, robots, Artificial Intelligence, and the like are taking over roles people used to be required to manage. According to Business Insider, "Many indicators suggest that jobs of the future will require much more emotional intelligence to complement the sophisticated machines we work with. As more and more jobs are automated, the nature of the value that humans will add will evolve to focus around creativity, connectivity with others and self-fulfillment."

We need to stay aware of and connected to our emotions and learn how to handle them effectively and appropriately, even in the workplace setting. Not every day will be perfect, or even close to it, and it is OK to allow ourselves to feel it. When we can work through these feelings to arrive at a place of satisfaction once again, we will be better people and valued employees. So, do not take your emotions lightly. And never dismiss the feelings of those you work with either.

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By understanding and accepting our own and one another's emotions, we will all be happier for it.

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A-Z Guide to Success at Work – V, W, and X

Success is attainable when a person is willing to do what it takes to achieve it. Sitting back and hoping for a miracle is no way to reach the top. Hard work, dedication, and a belief in one's self will allow a person to realize their potential and rise to the levels of achievement they are striving for. With some tips to become a more successful individual, even a beginner can pave the path towards their goals and one day reach them.

We are using each letter of the alphabet to give success-making tools and advice to help you advance and move the needle towards your future. As we hit V, W, and X, three more useful pieces of success-building information are at your fingertips. Use your mind and time wisely, take these tips into serious consideration, and become a stronger worker. Success is up to you, so if you want it, go for it!

Value

A person must be of value to a company for them to be needed and well-appreciated. If you don't bring anything to the table, don't expect there to be an empty seat waiting for you.

As per Business Insider, "Successful people provide value to others. When you shift your focus off of yourself and onto the people you serve, you set yourself up for financial success: Do what you love. Serve others what they love. Get money in return."

If you don't bring value to a company, you will not last long there leaving little or even no room to grow. Plus, you'll find yourself wondering what your purpose is rather that using your abilities to make a difference. Know your value and use what you've got to make a difference in a field you're passionate about.

Work Ethic

To become a success, a strong work ethic is imperative. Laziness, a ho-hum attitude, and procrastination will hinder your performance. A strong work ethic means you care about what you do and you put forth your best effort at every turn.

According to Spherion, "A job well done fosters a sense of personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment. These are the kind of workers employers are eager to hire and promote. When an important project needs to get done, these individuals can be counted on."

As per Chron, those with a good work ethic are "reliable, productive, dedicated, cooperative, and have strong character." If those five traits don't scream success, nothing will.

"X Factor"

Do you have that "something special" that makes you stand out from the pack? It could be a particular talent, a winning attitude, extreme intelligence, or charisma that puts you into a category that others just can't match.

Having the "X Factor" makes a person unique and sought-after. Their standout quality propels them to the top because they fill a void that nobody else can cover. Similar to value one can bring to a company, the "X Factor" is even stronger and more specific. It can't always be pinpointed, but people know it when they see it.

If you believe you have a special gift, share it with others in the workplace. It may be unconventional, but change is always useful in shaking things up. Be a breakthrough and reach success in a way never seen before.

Hold tight, because Y and Z are coming soon. Success from A – Z is almost done, but your success is just beginning!

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A - Z Guide to Success at Work – S, T, and U

We're almost at the finish line of our A – Z guideto achieving success in the workplace. Each letter of the alphabet is the first letter of a trait or behavior a successful person can embrace to become better at what they do. Passion and practice makes perfect, so use these helpful tips to move the needle towards the direction of your career aspirations and goals.

With S, T, and U up to bat, we will explain how stamina, thick skin, and an upbeat attitude are three character features a person ought to possess if reaching success is on the to-do list. Aim to work on developing these attributes and watch how you grow and prosper in the workplace and beyond.

Stamina

Great results don't just fall into your lap, they take time and effort which means you must be all in, all the time. While physical stamina is important, especially if the line of work you're in is taxing on the body, mental stamina is just as, if not more vital when it comes to being our best at what we're putting our efforts towards.

According to WebMD, one way to increase mental stamina is to, "Consciously think more positive thoughts." Managing stress, visualizing goals, planning for setbacks, and getting a good night's sleep are all stamina-boosters as well.

Don Melnychuk, Ph.D. notes, "One of our most important business resources is our personal energy." He suggests keeping fit, staying motivated, and being well-nourished to improve work performance.

Thick Skin

It takes a tough individual to deal with chaos in the workplace and to triumph over mistakes and failures. Not everyone will deal with you with sensitivity or even common courtesy, but the thick-skinned individual won't take things personally and can swiftly move along with confidence and a greater determination to succeed.

Tiny Buddha suggests finding the silver lining in a situation that may be unsettling. "When we can notice which criticisms wound us the most deeply, it shines a light on what our beliefs are. Not only can this help us to find neutrality again, with this outlook, criticism can actually become a valuable tool for self-growth."

According to wikiHow, "Having perspective will help you get through the day without getting too emotional. Remember, there's nothing wrong with feeling that initial wave of anger, sadness or defensiveness when you first receive a criticism. However, you shouldn't let emotions drag you down for the rest of the day." Shake it off and utilize the feelings as fuel to propel you forward.

Upbeat Attitude

A "glass-half-full" perspective will keep you positive and ready to work with purpose. Not every moment will be a bowl of cherries, but looking on the bright side and seeing the big picture is far more effective in reaching success than dwelling on what isn't perfect.

As per Jane R. Elgass of Univ. of Michigan, "For some employers, a good attitude is sometimes a more important consideration than skills. Try starting each day with a pep talk to yourself; make it a habit to enjoy the good moments; express, rather than suppress, your feelings; and surround yourself with a positive environment."

Inc. notes, "If you've got a positive attitude, you'll see obstacles as interesting or even fun. Even if you fail to overcome them, you'll find the process invigorating, which will make future obstacles easier to overcome." Put on a smile and you're already a success!

Stay tuned for the next installment of this A – Z series on success. We're almost done, but your success never has to end!

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3 Ways to Be More Creative at Work

Some people are creative by nature – every thought is unique and artistic, with no end in sight when it comes to inspiration, innovation, and creation. For others, creativity may come in spurts and for the less fortunate, barely, if ever. But that doesn't mean there is no hope for imagination to spark when the day-to-day at work is becoming stagnant and monotonous. Here are three surefire ways anyone can be more creative at work and see new visions and dreams take shape.

Liven Up Your Work Space

A dull work area is no place to spend most of the day. Bland and boring surroundings won't do much when it comes to inspiring originality and ingenuity. Based upon what your company will allow, transform your personal work area to make yourself feel more comfortable, motivated, and just all-around happier. From the outside in, creativity will begin to brew.

As suggested by The Muse, "Whenever you see something from the big wide world that captures your attention, put it on display. It can be any discovery: an awesome ad in a magazine, an unusually arranged menu, or even a well-written email that made you laugh."

If you love flowers, be sure to have a vase filled with a colorful bouquet on your desk each week. Is your family your pride and joy? Set up framed photos of your spouse and kids to remind yourself why you work so hard. Whatever it is that gets you pumped up, have it your line of vision. These items will be the spark that lights the creative portions of your brain that have been waiting for a sign to start churning out winning ideas.

Think Outside the Box

Tackling problems the same way all the time may lead to a satisfactory performance, but where's the fun in that? They say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but everything can stand for a tune-up every now and then. Thinking outside the box will allow you and your co-workers to come together and make headway in your careers. Without a fresh perspective, progress is sure to slow down.

According to Entrepreneur, "The next time you get your team together to brainstorm, create and enforce a 'no holds barred' idea session. Nothing is off the table; nothing is outside the realm of possibility. Avoid words and phrases like 'but,' 'how would we,' and 'we can't.'"

Lifehackadds, "Approach every task with the attitude that the current method is temporary and that your job is to find a better way to do it." When you're forced to come up with a new solution, the creative juices start flowing on cue.

Take a Breather

Sometimes, all you need is a "time out" to re-focus and get your thoughts together. After a particularly stressful morning or when you feel like your eyes are glazed over from staring at computer screens and spreadsheets, step away from your desk and take a 5-minute rejuvenating break. Not only will this help you to get back on track, but it can stimulate new thoughts and ideas. Like Entrepreneur points out, "It's practically impossible to nurture creativity in a tired, burned-out brain."

As The Muse suggests, "Make a habit of stepping outside even if it's just to walk around the block. As you stroll, make a point to notice things. Your mind will start connecting dots between what you see and the problems you left back at the office."

Creativity comes in many forms; just be sure it comes to you! These three tools are just the tip of the iceberg. The more creative you become, the more it keeps on coming!