Workplace values, like optimism, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of optimism and 3 ways you can practice optimism at your office.
What is optimism?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, optimism refers to being “hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something”.
Let’s take a moment to let that definition sink in.
When placed into the context of a working environment, optimism can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use optimism as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice optimism at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of optimism at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice optimism through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing optimism within your own office space.
Practice good manners
Practicing good manners is one of the first steps you can take to practice optimism at the workplace.
Start the day right! When you take your first step into the office, share your greetings! Say hello and good morning to your colleagues. What better way to start the day right?
Express your gratitude for the tiniest of things your colleagues do for you. That favour that they did for you must have surely taken even a little time from their day. Time that they could have used on something else. Say thank you because it’s the least we can do.
As Eckhart Tolle once said, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance”. Taking a second to acknowledge the good people around you is one way to get started.
And so, practicing good manners at work is one way to practice the workplace value of optimism.
Nurture work relationships
One can practice optimism at the workplace simply by nurturing work based relationships.
If you work 5 days a week, that’s still 5 days you actually interact with your colleagues. Now, that’s a lot of time to be spent with co-workers. With that being said, why not put in the conscious effort to nurture work relationships too?
They are, after all, family too. Take the initiative to organise and invite your colleagues to social gatherings outside of work. This will provide everyone with the opportunity to connect without any pressure from the office weighing on them.
Ensure that the values of respect and trust are well established and maintained both outside and at work. These values are essential to creating good relationships with those around you.
While at work, check-in with your co-workers on a regular basis. That’s one way to creating a positive work environment. Thus, nurturing work relationships is one way to practice the workplace value of optimism!
Identify intrinsic goals
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of optimism is by identifying and working towards your intrinsic goals.
Oftentimes, individuals work so hard at the office to check tasks off their lists that they completely forget both their vision and mission. This can lead to burnout and mundane work routines.
In order to remain happy at work, one should identify his or her intrinsic goals and work towards these aspirations. This will provide individuals with a sense of path and purpose to adhere to.
Chat with your colleagues, friends and family to take a look at the bigger picture. This should help you stay optimistic and provide you with ideas on how to widen your horizon.
Take the initiative to help yourself set some intrinsic goals. You’d be practicing the workplace value of optimism in no time!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of optimism. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice optimism at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
