The Best Ways To Brighten The January Blues At Work

READ TIME – 5 MINUTES

Instead of trying to banish the January blues this year, we’re 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 them.

Now that the fun and festivities are behind us, it’s the time of year when the dreaded ‘January blues’ can begin to set in. This can completely impact the morale and productivity of a work team, but it’s about time we took matters into our own hands and changed our perspective on this typical blue time of year.

A New Year brings new beginnings.

So take advantage of this fresh slate and use it as a time to start 2023 off on the right foot.

This blog contains our top 6 tricks to brighten the January blues, increase work motivation and all-round spirit.

1. Set Attainable Goals

New Year is the time to set out resolutions.

And whilst these are great for an overall idea of what you want the year ahead to look like, we suggest you take a different approach to goal setting this year, to keep yourself and your colleagues motivated – and brighten the January blues.

We like to create well defined and attainable SMART objectives, which build up to an overarching annual goal; they can create a sense of excitement and the smaller checkpoints along the way mean they don’t leave us feeling overwhelmed.

January can already be a daunting month, so consider where you and your team would like to be by the 31st of January. You can then regroup and assess whether you’re on track for your wider / annual goals.

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: Use visuals when setting your goals. They can be a powerful exercise for envisioning success.

2. Brighten the January blues as a team

People tend to be more productive when they feel a sense of purpose and when they know they’re responsible for something or somebody else.

January is a great month for your team to work collectively and share common goals. It provides an extra incentive to remain motivated and get the work done… not to mention the fun and laughter that can come with working as a team – something we all need a bit more of to brighten the January blues.

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: There’s nothing quite like working as a team than testing out team building games.

Or head out of the office for the day and take part in an activity together. AvA-V took part in the I’m A Celebrity Jungle Challenge in Manchester and we sure had to work as a team to get through that!

3. Be empathetic with your collegues

With the Great Resignation, businesses are seeing more people handing in their notice than ever before, meaning other employees are having to pick up the pieces to keep the ball rolling. On top of the January blues, this is leaving people feeling the pressure more so than ever.

Find out where you and your team mates can help each other out this month and just as the point above mentioned – brighten the January blues as a team.

In particular, it is important that managers are leading with Emotional Intelligence and have the ability to understand how some of their team may be feeling throughout this time and provide resolutions to brighten the January blues where possible.

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: Test out the “Are you a Hippopotamus or an Elephant?” approach this month and instead of more talking, it may be more beneficial to proactively listen.

4. Shift up your business approach

There’s no time quite like the New Year than to switch up your business approach. Changing how you engage with a prospect will not only help you stand out from the rest of the salespeople doing something similar, but it will revitalise your attitude to sales and help brighten the January Blues.

Before you make any calls this month, discover what the prospects’ needs and intentions are and work out how you can fit into that and provide solutions. You will therefore feel confident about the sale and go into the call with a positive mindset… which is always more likely to win a client over!

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: A tip from our own Global Learning & Development Director, David Farley,

“Shift up your day by picking up the phone and talking to a client or a colleague. Ever since the pandemic our screen times have gone up and we’re used to communicating via a zoom or teams video call. Try talking to people via a phone call and you will most likely notice an increase in quality of conversation.”

5. Change your work habits

We understand that your days in the office -𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 – can get very busy, meaning it’s easy for a routine to slip. Take this time to reintroduce uplifting and productive habits into your daily routine, which will help brighten the January blues.

Setting time aside for small positive habits will break up your day, release stress and get you looking forward to a day that isn’t just work.

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: Create a work playlist with your colleagues to listen to in the office, go for a walk on your lunch break or bring in new lunch foods and snacks; ideally nutritious foods that will make you feel good from the inside.

6. Make time outside of work

It’s all about the work-life balance.

To brighten these January blues, and the months beyond, incorporate these positive steps into other areas of your life. Call more friends, set attainable life goals and be more empathetic to those around you.

𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄: Change up your alarm, register to a training course or join a new group.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀?

We provide expert Sales Training to ensure that every individual within your team has the right skills and mindset to make a real impact when working towards the same business goals.