Submitted by OfficeTeam

When deadlines loom and yet another urgent assignment lands on your desk, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain a positive outlook. But doing just that each day at work is critical to your own well-being and that of your department.

Keeping an upbeat point of view — especially in the midst of problems or crises — enables you to sustain a manageable stress level. An optimistic attitude is also contagious — it encourages a similar can-do spirit among your colleagues. Here are some ideas to help you stay energized:

Laugh a little. A sense of humor can not only diffuse tension and promote a light-hearted atmosphere, it can also enhance your career. In a survey commissioned by our company, 84 percent of senior executives polled said that employees with a sense of humor are more productive than those without one. But it’s important to find the right balance between humor and professionalism. Never use others as a target for sarcastic remarks or jokes.

Be a team player. No one works in a vacuum — you rely on others’ input and assistance to do a good job, and your colleagues and managers depend on you in similar ways. Be a team player by honoring deadlines, delivering top-quality work and offering your expertise to help others succeed. Your cooperative attitude will be noted and reciprocated.

Communicate effectively. Open communication prevents many problems from occurring in the first place, and helps solve the ones that do. Talk regularly with your manager about impending deadlines and priorities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions for clarification — that’s a much better alternative to finding out you proceeded in the wrong direction only after you’ve completed a project. When you’re faced with a difficult situation, don’t allow emotions and deadline pressure to affect your communication. Instead, give yourself a moment to take a deep breath and think before you speak.

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OfficeTeam is the world's leading staffing service specializing in highly skilled office and administrative professionals. OfficeTeam has more than 300 locations worldwide and offers online job services at www.officeteam.com.