How to have a good day at work

How to flourish at work is something that no one teaches, and yet we hope to achieve every day. How to have a good day — Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life by Caroline Webb is a rare gem on the topic. I liked it so much that I have read it 5 times, and still learn something new every time.

The book offers practical tips on navigating the every day experience at work. The author advocates that we have much more power than we realize. We can take control of things within our reach to create a positive experience

There are a couple of things from the book that really stood out to me. First, a few very simple changes can lead to significant upsides. And secondly, I can set the tone for a positive experience for myself and people around me.

In the book, the author starts by discussing the brain’s two operating systems — the automatic vs the deliberate systems. The automatic system is fast, emotional, instinctual. It performs unconscious but important tasks such as reading a billboard, or scanning the environment for danger. Deliberate system is reasoning, self-control, and planning. It makes us wise and reliable. Our mind and body are in a constant feedback loop. When we get tired, we switch from deliberate to automatic thinking. Speed comes at the expense of accuracy and thoughtfulness. Treating our bodies well not only maximizes deliberate system for best performance, but it also makes us more pleasant to be around.

In my personal experience, I have a tendency to skip breaks, delay meals, shorten sleep, even hold off on going to the bathroom for the sake of “need to get this done”. In reality, I was pushing my deliberate system beyond its limit. After reading this book, I made a few simple but very effective changes to my life. I take a break when I notice my mind starts to wander. I eat when I start to feel hungry. I prioritize exercise and sleep. I was shocked to find myself much more at ease in the day-to-day dealings, and produce more thoughtful work than before. It turns out producing more doesn’t mean pushing myself harder. Instead, what I needed was treating my body better.

Another idea that really stood out to me is my impact on creating a positive experience for myself and others around me. The author describes the discover — defend axis: our mind constantly judges every situation as a threat or reward. In the defend phase, our minds are focused on protecting us from threats. As a result, we have a tendency to fight, flight, or freeze. This could lead to an overdrive in the professional setting. In contrast, in the discovery phase, we’re eagerly looking for rewards such as food or praises. We’re running on the deliberate system with a more thoughtful, effective mindset overall.

Reflecting on this concept made me think about the filtering lens I bring to each morning and to every interaction. I sometimes find myself chased by negative inner or external critics. Identifying my position on the discover — defend axis helps me to reset my filters to focus on discovery. I notice an immediate shift in people around me as well. When I bring my brighter lens, we have better and more meaningful interactions.

I wish the book had more tips on working through setbacks and conflicts. These negative experiences tend to have an oversized impact on our daily lives. Setting positive intentions upfront may not be enough. I would love to read more from the author on working through the middle of the storm and the aftermath.

Related posts:

I know I have to report any income including life insurance and it can effect it greatly. I have not sent in the claim papers yet. I called SS today and thought I would give them a heads up about it…

Alice had always been a deep thinker, and as she journeyed through life, she found that the weight of her thoughts became heavier and heavier, dragging her down into a dark place. Despite her best…

Kesz Valdez. Ang sertipiko ng parangal na ito ay para kay Kesz Valdez. Siya ay nagmula sa Cavite. Siya ay 13 taong gulang. Binibigyan ko siya ng gawad….