5 Tips for Improving Your Work Hustle

Remember the first day you walked into that new office? How exciting, overwhelming, and maybe a little nerve-wracking everything was? You were on a mission; to make your mark as the company’s best new creative talent. Nothing was going to stop you. Well it’s been a year or two since then, and while you might not have given up on your ambition, that creative energy that was flowing for the first few weeks has slowed to a trickle. Fear not, because while you might have landed your dream job, it’s a fact of life that nearly everyone is going to feel a lack of motivation at work once in a while. So don’t stress out about it, as it’s not only natural, but can force you to reflect on what might be working, and what you need to improve on to regain your creative drive. To help get this thought process going, here are a few simple ideas for kick-starting that creative spark, and getting you out of whatever slump you might be facing.

Make a to-do list every single day, and commit to checking it off.

Being overwhelmed by a seeming endless stream of work projects can often lead to a loss of motivation, as it can feel like regardless of how much effort you put in, you’ll still be swamped by due-dates. Regain control of the situation, by taking a few minutes out of your day to create a simple to-do list. Whether you rank your list based on due date, personal preference, or a more structured format, such as the ABC Method, organizing the workload in front of you can help put things into perspective. A to-do list succeeds in maintaining your work hustle, as it helps you to keep your mind focused on the tasks at hand, while providing a degree of personal satisfaction when crossing off a completed item. While good ol’ fashioned pen-and-paper is a tried and true medium for keeping a to-do list, we also recommend using Wunderlist, Todoist, or Google Keep to help tame your deadlines.

Keep your desk uncluttered, but don’t be afraid to decorate.

While a cluttered mind can no doubt lead to burnout, keeping your visual space tidy is an equally important endeavour on the road to staying motivated. From a pile of papers to a stack of almost-empty coffee cups, anything that indicates a task that has fallen behind can lead to mental distress, even if it doesn’t register on a conscious level. To combat this, take a few minutes each day to keep your workspace clear of clutter. It’s a simple enough chore, but when you’re spending the majority of your day at your desk, it can make all the difference. With that said, don’t be afraid to decorate your desk a little bit, depending on your office policy of course! A small, indoor plant can help to add a tiny bit of nature to your day, helping you to relax and refocus your creativity.

Take your breaks, outside of your office environment.

While the majority of creative agencies have moved away from dimly-lit cubicle spaces in favour of larger open office settings, the fact of the matter is no matter how nice your workplace is, you’re going to eventually associate it with doing work. This affiliation leads to be primed for work, whenever we arrive to the office, up until it’s time to leave for the day. This constant state of being ‘switched on’ throughout the day is no doubt tiring, which is why it’s so important to not only take breaks, but to take breaks outside of your office. It can be extremely tempting to eat lunch every day at your desk, forgoing a lunch outside or elsewhere, to help meet a looming deadline, but several months of this can unfortunately lead to burnout. Encourage some variation in your daily environment by eating lunch in a local park, or by simply going for a walk around the neighbourhood. Doing so allows your brain to separate your work time, from your break, and will allow you to return to the office feeling refreshed, and ready to take on the rest of the day.

Stay physically active when you’re not at work.

Sitting at a desk all day and staring at a computer can lead to a slump, both physically and mentally. This state of inactivity is a relatively recent development in the larger scheme of human evolution, and as such, our bodies tend to react to such a change negatively. Therefore, meeting a daily level of physical activity is highly recommended, whether it be by hitting the gym, going for a run, doing yoga, or playing a sport; exercising is an important component of maintain a healthy body and mind. Also of note, consider scheduling some relatively physical activities during your days off. Planning a hike, going on a camping trip, or exploring a city are all ways to keep active, and have the added bonus of giving you something to look forward to throughout the week.

Engage with a community, either inside or outside of the workplace.

Listening to a podcast on the commute to work, settling down at your desk to tackle the projects for the day, eating lunch by yourself, returning to work, commuting home; the entire process tends to be rather isolating. This lack of outside engagement can lead to one feeling separated from their coworkers, as well as society; a sentiment that can be amplified through the stress of daily life. Having a network of people to talk to, whether this is at work or in another setting, is an extremely important factor of maintaining your drive. The opportunity for community exists in many places, including a sports team, a hobby group, or close family. Being able to discuss the day with one another helps to put stress in perspective, and allows you to avoid fatigue.

While we hope that any and all of these suggestions can help renew that passion for your work, sometimes the issue runs a little deeper than a lack of hustle. If all else fails, consider evaluating your current work situation, and make the decision as to whether or not it’s time to search for a different place to work. The good news is that you’re already in the right place! CreativeCareer.ca is Canada’s hub for creative jobs, so you’re never more than a click away from a new opportunity.