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In a culture that’s so instant, how do you feel like you’re actually taking something away? It’s a question a lot of us in tech have been asking ourselves recently. We’re living in the age of managing the inbox, calendar, and a constant stream of content. It’s easy to lose sight of what you’re trying to get done in a day, let alone what you want to take away from your career.

 

Here at Salesforce, we like to think about transforming your day with simple steps that help you feel a little more intentional after you’ve checked off those boxes on your to-do list. We believe that work is about more than just going through the motions. So, what if the eight hours you spend at work could add something to the remainder of your day? Take a look at some of these realistic ways you can transform your day, no matter where you work.

 

 

  1. Studies show that the most successful people are those who set reasonable goals that are actually attainable. Build a list of the top 3 things you want to accomplish at work, and actually get them done.

 

  1. Spend more time with friends and family. Here at Salesforce, every employee gets six months of parental leave. Even if you don’t have that luxury, set aside nights and weekends to spend time with loved ones. It will make those eight hours at work better.

 

  1. Exercise. It’s no secret, you do your best work when you’re taking care of yourself. Salesforce employees love having the flexibility to take an exercise class at lunch or go for a run at the end of the day, but if that doesn’t work in your schedule, try to at least get the blood moving for 30 minutes a day. It’s proven to increase longevity in addition to boosting productivity at the workplace.

 

  1. Keep tabs on your media diet. So many of us go home after a day at work and start scrolling. When is the last time you took a step back and thought about the value behind the news that you read or the shows that you watch? Just like our regular diets, it can be helpful to step back and examine our media diets, making sure our sources of information are healthy too.

 

  1. The best way to grow your career is to expand beyond what you do well. Challenge yourself to do well. If you’re in sales, maybe take the time to read up on the newest trends in technology, or if you’re an engineer, consider taking 10 minutes every week to watch a video on business and management.

 

  1. If you are a manager, organize daily scrum meetings, even if you’re not in tech. Have everyone stand for 15 minutes, share what they did yesterday, and what they plan on getting done today. Having everyone stand, share their highs, lows, and road blockers, can really change the dynamics on the team.

 

  1. Use a standing desk. It helps keep your body in motion and full of energy throughout the day, helping you do your best work.

 

  1. With so many meetings on the calendar, block off several hours of every day to actually get the work done that you say you will in all those meetings. Setting aside time for tasks will make for more efficient meetings.

 

  1. Build a creative catalog. No matter your role on the team, or your creative abilities, having an innovative outlet can help you bring your best self to work. Whether it’s as simple as compiling all of your favorite playlists into one place, or as complicated as writing your own music, being intentional about your creative side can help you do your best.

 

  1. Volunteer. Here at Salesforce, every employee is given the opportunity to spend 1% of their time volunteering. But even if you don’t have that option during the workday, making the conscious effort to give back to your community will help you be your happiest self at the office.

 

  1. Expand your network. Adding connections on social media has become second nature to many of us, but do you really remember meeting all of those contacts? Really taking the time to get to know the people in your circles is key — on a personal and professional level.

 

  1. Join affinity groups. We live at a time when identity is central to so many aspects of our lives, so taking the time to really cultivate our relationships with people who share certain identity markers can help us navigate how who we are shapes our relationships with friends, coworkers, and everyone in between.

 

  1. Become an ally. Regardless of your identity, better understanding the experiences of others is a core element of embracing equality. Here at Salesforce, we encourage everyone to participate in our Ohana groups, regardless of their identities, to develop empathy for different groups.

 

  1. Become inspired. Read for fun, listen to podcasts, watch Ted Talks. Making sure you keep up with the ideas that you love helps you bring your best ideas to the office.

 

  1. Find mentors. Whether it’s a coffee chat with an executive, or a phone call with an old professor, take the time to learn from people who push you to think in new ways. Who knows, those mentors might be the people who give you an idea for your next startup or career change.

 

  1. Document your life. Reflecting on your day-to-day by taking photos, journaling, or recordings, can be one of the best ways to share your life with others, but also to keep track of how you’re doing. It can be easy to get lost in the endless email box, and forget about how you’re really doing.

 

  1. Make the most of your commute. So many of us complain about traffic and long train rides adding to our stress levels. Try listening to an audiobook, podcast, or calling an old friend on they way home to make those extra hours fly by.

 

  1. Discover the next IT breakthrough. Keep tabs on tech trends, and maybe the next one will be yours!

 

  1. Develop your personal brand. According to LinkedIn, employee sharing has 24 times the impact of corporate brand sharing. The way that you build your personal brand has the potential to influence thousands, if not tens of thousands of people. Make sure you leverage that potential with a social media presence that authentically reflects the best version of yourself.

 

  1. Meditate. At Salesforce, every floor of our office spaces has a meditation room designed to help employees take a step back from the fast-paced workplace and take care of their mental and physical health. Regardless of your office environment, it is so helpful to take a minute to clear out all of the noise, and take a step back.

 

  1. Work outside of your job description. Your job shouldn’t just be about ticking off the checkboxes in your role. Here at Salesforce, we believe in embracing an innovative approach to everything that we do. When you see a need, fill that need, and you’ll probably end up doing more of what you love.

 

  1. Travel. Whether it’s a day hike or a trip to another country, take the time to see something new and meet someone different from you. It will make you appreciate your day even more.

 

  1. Sleep. However much you need.

 

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight but it’s never too late to get started. Anyone can practice these steps regardless of the function or industry they work in. Before you get started, self-assess how your current daily routine is making you feel and where you think you can start to incorporate these steps to help you live your best life — every day.