4 Ways to Combat Negativity at Work

4 Ways to Combat Negativity at Work We all have that one co-worker who’s just plain†¦ negative. He or she comes in from the elevator followed by a sad, grey cloud. They spend all of their time grumbling about work- having either too much or too little, and their personal lives don’t sound much better. There’s always one in every office, and often to caricatured proportions. But it can be easy to drift into that negative territory. Just to make sure you haven’t taken on any of these bad habits or deflated attitudes, be on the look-out for the following four signs of encroaching negativity at work.   Avoid your own black cloud.Watch Your PostureRemember your first days on the job? You came to work all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, spine straight, head up, typing with your fingers on your home keys, sitting tall in your swivel chair, and drinking vegetable juice for lunch! Or, you know, some version of that kind of effort.But with time, and setbacks, and disappointments, your bad moods h ave started to sink into your bones. Before you know it, you’re slouched over your keys, slumping as you walk, and sneering at your screen. Even if you’re just stressed or inattentive to the ways in which your posture might be wavering, it’s making you look bad to your boss, who values positivity in outlook and professionalism in demeanor. Straighten up!Curb the ComplaintsIt’s too cold, too hot. The meeting was too long, too short. The coffee sucks. The vacation package sucks. Your insurance sucks. Your weekend sucked. The printer†¦ don’t get me started on the printer.Make sure you’re not constantly complaining, even if there are things that you could (reasonably) constantly complain about. And stop complaining altogether about things not in your power to change. If you find yourself ranting and raving for 20  minutes at a time, sit yourself down and ask why you’re suddenly so frustrated at work. But whatever you do, keep the c omplaining to a minimum. Start to notice every time you do it and keep track.Force Yourself to be FriendlyThat sounds awful, but how many people pop by your cubicle for a chat? Ask you to grab a coffee? Wait for you to head to lunch? If the answer is no one (especially if it used to be everyone), then you have some work to do. Not spending at least a small part of your workday chatting to coworkers is a pretty good sign that you’re not universally well-liked. Even if you aren’t a people person, try encouraging a little more social atmosphere. And the best way to make friends is to be upbeat and pleasant to be around!Can the PessimismLand a new project? Get a promotion? Is your first thought one of annoyance at how much extra work you’ll have to do? Or what stress you will be under? Or how many more hours you’ll have to log? That’s a bad sign. When even good news seems like bad news, it’s time to give yourself an outlook makeover.But don†™t worry! Even if you have slipped into the negativity bubble, it’s not too late to pull yourself back into the light. Remember, nobody likes a Negative Nelly. Get yourself back on the right track.

The Best Spotify Playlists for Study

The Best Spotify Playlists for Study Music researchers agree that music for studying should be free from lyrics  so the songs arent competing for your brains memory space. Fortunately, there are several lyric-free Spotify stations that are perfect for studying.   1.  Intense Studying   Creator:  Spotify The Review:  This station is perfect for keeping that brain sharp and focused, with a mix of sonatas, concertos, and more from  classical superstars like Bach, Mozart, and Dvorak. While some classical stations can relax you to the point of feeling like you might fall asleep, this playlist is full of upbeat tempos that will keep you awake and on track. 2.  Superior Study Playlist Creator:  Taylor Diem The Review:  In case you want to listen to a vast selection modern instrumentals (over 900 songs appear on this list), this Spotify station for studying focuses on soundtracks like those from movies like Amelie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,  and The Hours along with instrumental beats from artists like Explosions in the Sky,  Max Richter, and Levon Mikaelian.   3.  Workday Lounge Creator:  Spotify The Review:  Dont let the title fool you; this isnt boring elevator music. Chill out and listen to the mellow beats of artists like ST*RMAN and  Azul Grande, which just might be calming enough for someone with a crazy life to feel like they can take a deep breath and pop open the books.   4.  Acoustic Concentration Creator:  Spotify The Review: Plug in and open up this lyric-free Spotify station to enjoy music from Michael Hedges, Antoine Dufour, Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Keagy, and over a dozen more guitarists who mesmerize with quick arpeggios and harmonizing chords.   5. NO LYRICS! Creator:  perryhan The Review:  For those who are interested in hearing a mix of more modern songs reworked by instrumental artists, this station has you covered. From 90s grunge classics from bands like Nirvana to songs like Justin Timberlakes Cry Me a River  on violin by David Garrett or Adeles Rolling in the Deep  on piano and violin by The Piano Guys, theres something youll want to hear. 6.  Study Mix (No lyrics) Creator:  mogirl97 The Review:  This is also a Spotify station relying heavily on remixes of modern songs, remade by instrumental bands. The Vitamin String Quartet, Lindsay Stirling, 2 Cellos, and The Piano Guys play their versions of popular songs like Royals, Pompeii, Back to Black, Chandelier, Let It Go, She Will Be Loved and more. They are great for keeping you energized but wont be as distracting as if you were listening to the original versions. 7.  EDM Study No Lyrics Creator: coffierf The Review:  Electronic dance music might not be what first comes to mind when you think of studying, but for some students, possibly those kinesthetic learners out there- the kind who need to keep  moving  to concentrate- this station, with over 50 songs and growing, may be just what you need. Bounce along to tracks by Crystal Castles, Netsky, and Moguai.   The Effects of Music While Studying According to Nick Perham, a researcher published in Applied Cognitive Psychology,  the best music for studying is  no music at all. He says you shouldnt listen to music because it competes for your brains space. Perham recommends that you study in complete silence or ambient noise like from a white machine or even the muted traffic of a highway or soft conversation.  However, some disagree with this researcher and believe that music makes the  study experience  better since it can lift a mood or bump up positive feelings.