Why do people look at their jobs as chores? Or look at spending the day with their kids as tiresome? Or even going to company parties (if anyone even has them anymore besides the army) as a bad thing? Yeah, you may be tired, or cranky, or mad, or you just hurt all over or you just couldn't stand one more minute of Mr. Irritating right now. Why do you let it affect you as a person? You are feeling something physical, and you're letting it affect your mental state as well? People like to be bludgeoned, like to be punished, almost, so they let their physical part of themselves affect their mental and spiritual parts. I found that one way to keep smiling through the day, even if you are sick, annoyed, tired, or just irritated, is as soon as you hop or crawl out of bed, remind yourself of every little thing you are thankful for. (Some of the family will have to use paper - I understand.) If it takes too much time, there's two solutions: 1) get up 5 minutes earlier. You don't have to sleep in till THE LAST MINUTE in order to get your balance of sleep. It's actually a fact - it's proven that if you go to bed at a certain time every night, you'll have a better chance at falling asleep faster and feeling better in the mornings. It's called Circadian Rhythms - getting yourself into a natural state of routine. 2) Just think of one thing that makes you the happiest person alive, and keep it in the back of your mind all day. That way, when you get angry or annoyed, you just pull up that thought and go back on your merry little way. I know it sounds pretty lame, but it really works.
When I get up in the morning and I don't have time to make a list, I think about being a soldier and a role model for children: Would I want to set the example of being the person no one wants to work with? No, no one does. So that's when I lift my chin, smile, and go about my business - because I think of children that don't know me except for being a soldier but cheer me on anyways, the families (my family) I am defending right now at this very moment, the pride people that I love and care about take in me for what I'm doing. (It's a great pick-me-upper, giving yourself a pat on the back.)
Another thing that the military stresses on, but I've never seen civilians (except for ex military) stress: Hydration. Did you know that if you're 2% dehydrated, it can slow your thinking process up to 15%? Not to mention water is a great dieter. More than 90% late night food pangs are actually cured with that miracle that forms up 70% of our planet.
Another thing to think about - what if someone is having a bad day: their children are being prissy, their partners and them got into a fight at breakfast, their car wouldn't start, or even just a bad hair day. If it were you, you would want someone on your side, wouldn't you? All you have to do is smile, or even offer a hug, and it could possibly change their day. When Charlie walks into the office an hour late with his hair disheveled, don't look at him with disgust and point out the obvious (that he's late). Instead, try bringing him a cup of coffee, or smile and make small talk. You'd be amazed at what that can do for some people.
So, instead of complaining about how much you hate work, just get over it - you're in a society where you have to pay for everything, and there's nothing that will help you more than a job. You have to accept that - you will have a job, no matter what it is, for the rest of your life (or until retirement). When you get up on Monday morning, and aren't looking forward to going to work, think about this: You're going to work, and you're going to make today exciting. Because some people can't do that. So why not do it for them? What would it hurt to make your day great, and then the person next to you catches on? Happiness is like a disease! Think of something you're thankful for - you may think you have the crappiest life around, but twenty years from now, will it still be like that? Like the military says, "Suck it up and drive on."