I’ve finally cracked the code to a somewhat happy and sane work life

It’s almost been 10 years, and I think I’ve finally cracked the code to a somewhat happy and sane work life. I’d like to share my top hacks with you to save you some time and misery.

 Hack #1: Stop comparing.

This is probably the number one reason for mental health issues at work. We compare ourselves to our colleagues, our seniors, our juniors, people in other departments, and even people in other organizations. It’s an endless cycle, leading to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. So the next time you compare, take a step back and remind yourself of your unique strengths and accomplishments.

Hack #2: Stop judging.

This is closely related to hacking #1. When we compare ourselves to others, we also start judging them. “Oh, she’s so lucky she got that project/promotion/raise.” “He’s so lazy and must not have worked hard enough.” These judgments are not only harmful to our mental health, but they also breed negative emotions like envy and resentment. If you judge others, try reframing your thoughts and seeing things from their perspective. You never know what someone is going through behind the scenes.

Hack #3: Have a break.

In today’s 24/7 work culture, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind and forget to take breaks. But burnout is real, and it’s not something you want to experience. So make sure to schedule some time for yourself every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes for a quick walk or a cup of tea. And when you’re on vacation, really disconnect from work – no checking email or taking calls. Your mind and body will thank you for it!

Hack #4: Focus on one task at a time.

With so much going on at work, it can be tempting to multitask everything to get things done faster. But studies have shown that multitasking is less efficient than single-tasking because our brains are not designed for it (we can only pay attention to one thing at a time). So next time you sit down to work on a project, turn off all distractions (email, social media, phone) and focus on that one task until it’s done. You might be surprised at how much faster and better you can do it!