Freshening up your work attitude after the winter

Winter can be a hard time when it comes to maintaining motivation and good cheer in the workplace. Even getting out of beds is a trial on freezing mornings: add in the inevitable winter illnesses, lack of sunlight, and short days, and it’s no wonder the blues can set in.

As the spring flowers start to blossom, you can feel your spirits rise.

But you often need a bit of a kick-start to get your work motivation back as you head into what is often a very busy time of year.

Here are some tips from the experts on how to conduct your own workplace spring spruce up.

Christchurch EQ Consultants’ are specialists in human resources.

Their principal consultant, Viv Patterson, says that there can be a 20 per cent drop in productivity over the winter months.

This can be due to either being ill or being generally fatigued if the winter has been particular hard and long.

She says that they encourage managers to review the balances of annual leave to ensure that people are taking breaks, regularly.

‘‘This can be challenging for some employees and employers, especially those who have mandatory close downs around Christmas.

‘‘In some cases, the close down may be 2-3 weeks, which often leaves little time throughout the year for time off.’’

She says that it’s also important to realise that everything doesn’t need to be done by the end of the year.

‘‘Do some planning so that projects or work that is not urgent can be pushed into the New Year when people are more energised.’’

Changing the physical environment can also help refresh your attitude.

‘‘Often the employees like to arrange their own workspaces, move desks for example.

‘‘This is no issue for most businesses unless there are associated costs,’’ she says

Other useful ways in which to refresh is to try to get lots of natural light, take time out for exercise, have regular breaks, and healthy food throughout the day.

‘‘Most importantly though, management that have good ’EI’ and interpersonal skills will have the most impact (positive and negative) on the team,’’ she says.

In general terms, Patterson says that motivation in the workplace can be built effectively if managers build teams based on the unique strengths each person can bring.

This can improve motivation and retention, and it allows the team to work on things they enjoy and be involved in projects they feel passionate about.

‘‘People need to feel a sense of ’belonging’ first and foremost.

‘‘Showing that individuals are valued and taking a general interest in them is important,’’ she says.

It’s not hard to spot someone who is disengaged, or to identify it in yourself.

Clock watching, negativity about the company you work for, anger towards management, high rates of sick leave and being constantly distracted by social media, are all signs that your heart and hear are elsewhere.

This can also lead to resignations, which happen ‘‘because people will often vote with their feet’’.

‘‘Exit interviews are useful to find out more about why people are leaving and where they are going.

‘‘Watch for signs of poor management behaviour, this can disengage the workforce faster than anything else – relationships are key to motivating and encouraging your staff,’’ says Patterson.

If you are feeling like things are getting on top of you in the workplace as we head into summer, it’s important to pin point the causes of this.

It may simply be fatigue after a long winter; long weekends (or even longer holidays) should help you freshen up your body and your attitude.

But your lack of motivation may be due to something deeper.

Make time to sit down with someone you trust and work out why you feel this way.

Are you bored, over (or under) worked?

Do you feel that your skills are being utilised properly?

Or do you need a change of career?

Once you’ve pinpointed exactly what is going on, you can make an action plan that will allow you to move forward and change direction, and face Christmas on a more positive note.