Imagine a day when you:
- Woke up an hour late
- Spilled coffee on your shirt
- Looked everywhere for your keys
- Got a call from your angry boss
- Arrived late for your presentation
FAIL.
People’s worst nightmare…
But – chances are:
- You had a similar kind of day before
- It might happen in the future
Why?
We ALL have bad days (nobody’s perfect).
I’ve had some pretty tough days myself…
But I can tell you this:
You can reset any bad day…
…before it spirals way out of control.
And turn it into a GREAT one!
Seriously?
Tip #1: Be Grateful
When the going gets tough – that’s the time to step back and look at the bigger picture.
Remember what you DO have! Count your blessings and write them down. You’d be surprised by how much you should be thankful for every day. Even the water that comes out of your faucet.
No matter what, there’s someone else who’s struggling more than you.
Tip #2: Relax For A Bit
When it’s hot… don’t you feel like drinking cold water or taking a cold shower?
That’s a way of balancing things out. Cold is the opposite of hot. Just like relaxation is the opposite of stress or worry.
The good news? There are several practical ways to calm yourself down and get back on track (especially after a rough morning):
• Go for a run
• Listen to music
• Eat lunch in a nice restaurant
• Speak with a trusted friend over the phone
Learn to laugh as well!
Tip #3: Set Deadlines On Priority Tasks
When it appears you have so much to do in so little time – that’s a recipe for hell.
Tip #4: Find A Way To Work More Efficiently
The root cause of a bad day isn’t always doing the wrong things. You might be doing the right things the WRONG way.
For example: check out this 5-minute video of an artist drawing a car using Microsoft Paint. Pause it at the end of each minute and you’ll notice what the artist is able to accomplish:
• 1 min = wireframe of the car
• 2 mins = basic colors
• 3 mins = windshields, rims
• 4 mins = reflections, shading
• 5 mins = headlights, finishing touches
Tip #5: Keep Your Relationships Healthy
That’s right. Don’t forget about everybody who’s part of your life. And apologize to them!
A bad day with a bad mood doesn’t just affect you. It might cause you to snap at those people or blurt out words you don’t mean.
Whether or not they can tell you need some space – you should always say “sorry” after the deed. And mention you’re having a rough day.
And when you’ve got the time – follow up your verbal apology with a nice gift for anyone you’ve hurt or offended. You can buy fresh flowers for them since those are great for elevating people’s moods.
Why? Because relationships are NOT one-way. You can’t expect your loved ones and workmates to keep understanding you and “brush off” the harsh words. You should also do your part.
Remind your family that you love them. Admit your fault to your coworkers. Communicate, hug or shake hands, and then both parties can move on.
All it takes is an apology – plus the humility to give it. Trust me. Saying “sorry” is the perfect way to end a bad day… and to welcome the next day with open arms.