I know this article is a little outside the Marketing Land wheelhouse (I was actually told that by one of the amazing editors here, and I agree), but I felt like these were tips any marketing professional could appreciate. So for this article, let’s take a step back and focus on strategies for creating a winning mental state in the world of marketing.
When you work in a fast-paced work agency or in-house marketing environment, or really any line of work where you are pushing the envelope, stress is something that inevitably pops up — especially at this high-pressure time of year.
I support friends, colleagues and staff on this topic all the time. I’ve learned a bunch of different ways to enjoy work more, and I feel it’s safe to say that I have a very positive perspective and attitude toward work. In this post, I reveal a few secrets for enjoying work and staying centered when in the midst of a busy day of online marketing.
1. Have Fun With It
Work really should be fun. I promise it can be with the right attitude. You can sit there and concentrate on the negatives or concentrate on all the opportunities you have to build something great with the help of your colleagues. No one can stop you from having fun. You are in control of your destiny and your mind. If you want to have fun anywhere, you can — and you definitely can at work.
Have a Rock Star Marketing Mentality
2. Take A Walk Each Day
No matter how positive you are, you can’t do anything on a computer for too long or you just might freak out. Do not work straight for 5 hours without a break or you will get edgy.
I even find that when I go into these serious concentrated modes, if I don’t take a break, it’s just bad.
One of the best things you can do is just get up and go for a walk. Leave your stuff in the office and go walk for 10 to 20 minutes. By the time you come back, you’ll feel just like new.
3. Check Email Just A Few Times A Day
If you are a slave to your email, constantly responding to clients and ignoring the projects you are working on, you will get stressed.
The best tip I can give is to check your email 4 times a day: once when you get in, once before lunch, once in the afternoon and once before you leave. This will save you! It is so much better than responding to emails constantly. How can you accomplish a project when you are rushing to get back to someone all day?
If the request in the email takes 2 minutes or less, respond when you open your inbox. If it takes longer, delegate it out, schedule a time to deal with it or add it to your list / project management system.
4. If You Are Working Too Many Hours, You’re Not Efficient Enough
I feel that in order to have a good quality of life, I don’t want to constantly be working. It is critical to work semi-normal hours.
If you are putting in over 50 or 60 hours a week at a job, you are not being efficient enough. With recent advances online, there are so many great ways to delegate work and get things done. Make sure you are taking advantage of strategies put forth in books such as The 4-Hour Workweek.
5. Is Anyone Going To Die Tomorrow?
Whenever you start looking at your work list and feel like it’s just too much, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Is anyone going to die tomorrow if this doesn’t get done?” Once you answer no to that, you can ask yourself a second question: “Does this absolutely need to get done today?” Most days, it is best to just choose a few important things that you want to accomplish and rank them. Put the rest of the stuff on another list and don’t worry about it.
6. What Would You Have Done 5 Years Ago To Get This Job?
Sometimes, we don’t take a second to stop and smell the roses. Almost anyone in marketing can appreciate the job they are in. One famous thing that Tony Robbins says is, “Ask yourself, what would I have done to be here 5 years ago?” You have most likely worked hard to get where you are. Take a second and enjoy what you have accomplished. Take pride in your role and smile.
7. Don’t Eat Lunch In Front Of Your Computer
Please make sure to take a lunch. If you don’t, and you work in front of your computer, you are going to put yourself in a bad spot mentally.
Humans need to get out and enjoy some conversation and some fresh air. Take your lunch outside. It will make you feel much better than staying in and staring at your computer for an additional hour.
8. Listen To Music
This one is pretty straightforward. But wow, can it make you feel good when an awesome song is playing and you are jamming out on a project.
9. Exercise Before Work, Or After & Don’t Eat A Ton Of Junk
I know not everyone loves exercise. But I promise, going to bed early and working out before work, or working out after work, really puts you in a better mental state.
As my dad says, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Also, if you eat well you will have better energy and mentality.
10. Look At Everything As An Opportunity
Talking to a client? There is an opportunity to build a relationship. Have to write an article? There is an opportunity to improve your writing skills. Boss asks you to run out and grab some coffee? Think of it as an opportunity to take a break and get some air.
You can think of almost anything as an opportunity. Don’t let yourself turn into a Negative Nancy — life is too short and we spend so much of it at work. There is nothing a boss likes more than someone who is as positive and focused on the same goals he or she is.
11. Think Of It As Practice
If you think of the current job you are at as practice, it will take a huge weight off your shoulders. Consider this. You are probably not going to work there forever. Even if you do, your position will advance or change.
Think of your current role as practice for the future and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It is just a job, not life or death.
12. Don’t Overdo The Coffee
If you have too many cups of coffee, you’ll feel edgy. When I worked in New York, I was drinking 4 or 5 cups a day. As soon as I cut it down to 2, I felt much better. Additionally, if you don’t drink coffee past 3:00pm you’ll most likely sleep better (which will do lots to improve your mood!).
13. Email Yourself Your Ideas
Some people can have a hard time turning it off. When I worked as a Senior Editor and Director at a publication years ago, one of the questions I would ask business owners was, “What keeps you up at night?”
Pretty much everyone had an answer to that question, which means everyone (who cares about their job) has work-related insomnia on some level. I have found that if I wake up and have something on my mind at night, it helps to put it in an email. That way, you know you won’t forget it and can deal with it tomorrow.
By the way, about half the time, I look at my email the next morning and just laugh to myself. “Why would I care about that so much?!”
Summing It Up
No matter if you are the CEO of a company or an intern, you can always find something to stress or worry about, especially if you work in the fast-paced world of marketing.
Mark Twain once said, “I have had many worries, almost all of which never happened.” Don’t get caught up in anticipatory anxiety. Things come and go. That presentation you have next week will be over before you know it, so enjoy it.
Also, try to enjoy work. It really can be a lot of fun with the right mentality. I hope that this post helps you enjoy your work day just a little bit more. If you have a tip that I missed, please leave it below. This is something that I know everyone goes through, especially in marketing.
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