Want to improve your well-being at work?

We read Seth Lawton's great article on Well-Being Wire. Have a look and see which ones affect you most. I would say they depend on your own personality type e.g. some people will be more affected by the challenge of multitasking than others (I actually thrive on it).

When you've identified what's getting in your way, try and think of one small thing you can do to make the biggest difference. Leave a comment and tell us which ones work for you.

Multitasking

Many people multitask in search of great productivity, but oftentimes this kind of distracted behavior actually makes us less productive. Multitaskers are typically less focused and experience higher levels of stress, and multitasking can even strain personal relationships and lead to accidents (think texting while driving). Instead, try tackling just one task at a time and giving it 100%. Start with a single activity and focus on it for ten minutes straight. Occasional interruptions are expected during the workday, but being fully present and avoiding the many temptations in our day can lead to much better results.

Poor Communication

When talking to co-workers, it's all too easy to half-listen while you think about your own response or what's for lunch. To avoid a potentially damaging discord, the next time you speak to a colleague, try practicing active listening techniques. While the other person is speaking, focus your full attention on what he or she is saying. Look at the person in the eyes, and when it's your turn, repeat back what he or she has said. Tuning in fully promotes openness between people, helps avoid misunderstandings because you have to confirm what the other person actually said.

Avoidance

Building relationships at work is one of the keys to a successful career, but many people find themselves in routines that keep them away from people they don't know. Choose someone at work who is new to you or whom you rarely interact with. When you see him or her today, make the effort to say hello, and follow it up with a friendly smile. Breaking out of this rut can help you learn more about your workplace and your colleagues, and will give you a reputation for being warm and engaging, not cool or unapproachable.

Procrastination

There's nothing worse than having something you're not looking forward to doing in the back of your mind all day. Maybe it's making an unpleasant phone call or addressing an issue with a co-worker. Why not try to identify the toughest task you have on your plate, and take steps to address that task first rather than putting it off until later in the day? Get it done first, and then the rest of your day will feel like a breeze. It also gives you a lift because you'll feel proud that you were able to get it done so early.

Clutter

Whether it's papers piled high on your desk, or digital files strewn everywhere on your hard drive, disorganization can lead to distress! Clutter makes it harder to find things and this can cost you time and cause unnecessary stress. Try recycling or throwing away things that you don't need and make a small stack (or folder) of items that really do need your attention. Return other objects to their rightful places in your work area, and banish that frustrating feeling of not being able to find the things you're looking for. Cleaned-up workspace, clear-thinking mind!

Overdoing It

Sometime it feels like the work will never stop coming, and more than ever, our many gadgets and gizmos keep us tethered to our workday tasks. Try making a conscious decision to create a boundary between work and home by turning off the technology that keeps you connected to the office. After you get home tonight, do not check your work email, voicemail, or texts, and turn off your smartphone. Take it a step further and limit yourself to 30 minutes of work talk once you're off the clock today. This may help you unwind, but it also leaves more time for the many other important aspects of life, like family and friends.

If you're a manager and you need to look at the employee engagement of your team, check out our 'Engaging your team' session. We've designed it specifically for team leaders and managers.

Employee engagement