Kyle Bernstein

You have a great job with good pay and excellent benefits. You’ve worked hard to get here and you deserve this. You give 110% to your company, have become an expert in your field, participate in company-sponsored events and charities and volunteer in your free time. You are truly living your career. But all of this leaves you feeling drained and you’ve gotten boring.

Unless you work in a creative field, it is possible that your family and friends know you as the karaoke queen or maniac Canucks fan, but the working world sees only a blue suit that sends correspondence in New Times Roman. Nobody likes to be seen as just a cog in the machine, even if it is the cog that makes it go. Hard work is good for keeping us out of trouble and having a fulfilling career can be very rewarding, but it is what we participate in after we punch out that most of us prefer to be defined by. Most of us identify ourselves with our families, hobbies, and leisure activities, which allow us to decompress after a tough day or week at work. These are the things that keep us sane and bring balance to our lives. Not only should your job be more than something to vent about over martinis, but there’s no reason you should hide your true identity behind a stack of paperwork like a modern-day wonder woman, either. Whatever you did before you got into this career and the activities you participate in after hours are part of what makes you who you are today. Suppressing your true character can only make your job that much more stressful and cause resentment If you’re feeling stifled.

Of course, it is always essential to be professional and follow the guidelines your employer sets, but it is absolutely possible to be the same person before 5pm as you are after hours. You’ve memorized your organization’s employee handbook, so you know the rules on soliciting or bringing in any controversy and, of course, you’ll still follow the dress code. But even with those restrictions – if that’s how you view them – there are plenty of simple ways to let your true self shine through on the job.

For starters, you can jazz up your correspondence. If your primary vehicle for contact is email as it is for many these days, it’s possible with most programs to change the font, color, and size of the type within the message. If your company’s logo is Navy blue, sending messages in that color shows a bit of team spirit, lets the receiver see that you are detail-oriented, and adds a bit of pizzazz. The language you choose in messages can also reflect who you are. Writing like you talk can give the reader the feeling they’re having a conversation with you rather than being on notice. Plus, nobody likes having to decipher a cryptic message. Just be sure to steer clear of cutesy emoticons which can be seen as unbusiness-like and are best left for chats with friends L. Many email-addicts choose a signature line to automatically appear at the bottom of each message composed. In addition to your name, title, company name and contact info, a signature can include an eco-friendly message such as “Please think of the environment before printing this message” or a personal one like “If this is urgent, please call me at the main office and have me paged”. You don’t need to read the company policy to know that you should refrain from any statements endorsing political beliefs or anything which may be seen as offensive. If you’re tethered to the telephone, prepare a snappy new outgoing message detailing how you can’t get to the phone because you’re busy giving expert customers service, but that this caller is next up.

Your wardrobe is an evident way to show off your creative side. Wear a uniform? Choose accessories that reflect who you are. If you, say, sell caviar, a tasteful but fun fish brooch or earrings can be a unique conversation starter.

Another simple way to bring your “self” to work is by packing a lunch from home. Sure, it’s a great way to save money, but if you’re cooking for yourself and toting foods you truly love, it can add calm to an out-of-control day. This will also save you from a case of the “grouchies” or having to run out for a bite mid-project.

Riding your bike (or motorbike) to work? In addition to saving money and being socially responsible and good exercise, having your own unique mode of transport can give you a feeling of control as well as the respect of those around who have always wanted to learn to ride.

The most obvious show of who you are is by subtly and tastefully adding a few decorative touches to your workspace. A vase with a fresh variety of your favorite flowers can be beautiful to look at, therapeutic to smell, and give your area personality. And, a single framed photo placed strategically can make you smile during a stressful day. Seriously, though, leave the troll doll collection at home and think carefully before hanging a dozen framed photos of your dead cat. N.B.: If you find you’re collecting more personal items in your cubicle than your bedroom, you’re spending too much time at work.

Perhaps you like keeping your personal life at home. That’s perfectly O.K., too. Just don’t forget to have one. For many of us who sometimes find ourselves eating dinner at our desks and replying to emails at midnight, joining a group or taking a class will ensure that you leave work at a decent hour at least once a week. In addition to being fun, alleviating stress, and allowing us to escape reality briefly, hobbies can make us happier, more interesting, well-balanced individuals. This will, in turn, make us more productive and possibly even better at our jobs.

image © Felix Moeckel/iStockphoto