Some days nothing works. The train is late, the printer jams, an important email vanishes and a colleague is short with you. By mid-morning you have the feeling that the whole day has been ruined. It is a horrible feeling, and it is completely normal. The good news is that a few small habits can stop a bad day from turning into a terrible one, and help you reach the evening in one piece.
Stop and sort
The first step is to pause. Stand up, take a breath and walk to the window or the kitchen. Then write a short list of what really needs to be done today, and cross off everything that can wait. A bad day often feels worse because everything looks urgent at once. A list shows you that only a few things matter, and that you can do them one at a time.
Do the easiest thing first, to get some momentum. Finishing a small task gives you a tiny bit of confidence, and confidence is what you are short of on days like this. Do not try to fix everything. Ask a colleague for help with the one thing that is really stuck. Most people are happy to lend a hand, especially if you ask kindly and explain exactly what you need.
Be kind to yourself
Have a proper break, even if you feel you cannot spare one. A cup of tea, a short walk or a few minutes with a colleague you like can change the mood of an afternoon. Eat something sensible, and do not skip lunch because you are cross. Try not to send angry messages, and if you have written one, leave it in the drafts and read it again later.
At the end of the day, write down what is left for tomorrow, so that you do not carry it home in your head. Close the laptop, and do something completely unrelated to work in the evening. A bad day is only one day. Tomorrow you will start with a clean slate and a list, and with any luck the printer will be working again.
