In many workplaces, it's easy to get wrapped up in the jaded, neurotic and pessimistic mindset your coworkers may have. It's especially evident in my field, Emergency Medicine; where it's unpredictable, potentially traumatic, stressful and generally a lot of running around. It's easy for seasoned vets of my field, and really anyone who's worked in one place for 10-20 plus years, to become "burnt out", start to become complacent and even give the newbies a hard time. This is where the morale begins to sink and the overall functionality of a team starts to deteriorate, but you can prevent and even help fix a poor work environment.

As a person and worker, I'd say I have a pretty strong work ethic, and I'm a pretty energetic and optimistic person which makes for an easy transition into the work I do. In regards to workplace morale, you need to be on your 'A' game with your work ethic, attitude, mindset and interactions with your co-workers. The long and short of this is, it's way easier to be nice and happy than people think it is. It takes time, so patience is another attribute you can be certain you need if you're seeing your workplace start to fall into pessimism, drama and jadedness. The secret is pure, bonafide, unadulterated optimism.

1. Start Your Day With A Smile!

You can't help anyone or anything if you can't help yourself. Of course no one's perfect and not every day can start with being bright and chipper, you can do little positive warm-ups. Some of these for me include positive self-affirmations, self-motivation, prayer, remembering all the things I love about what I do, getting excited to see my work family, car jamz (my favorite) and more! You can start simple by putting little post-it notes on your mirror or in the visor in your car saying things that makes you smile, or jamming to your favorite pump up music to start your day. It all starts with you, so get fully dressed with that smile and get out there!

2. Greet Your Co-Workers!

Whether you're like me and normally come into work mid-shift for some of my other co-workers; I always like to greet them with a big smile, enthusiastic greeting and ask about how they're doing. Some of your co-workers might still be a little melancholy and take a bit to warm up, but some others will receive the enthusiasm and positivity you're dishing out, and they'll give it right back. You're starting their day off right with some positive energy, enthusiasm, acknowledgement of their presence and work they do, which will leave them happier than they were before you showed up. It's a start. Embrace the beginnings of your morale boosting mission!

3. Maintain a team-oriented mindset and show it.

My workplace has what we call "huddles" or sometimes we call them "cuddle huddles" because we're a friendly bunch. Basically giving report to the next shift on what's going on in the ED or Urgent care, giving the team some goals to keep in mind while working and come up with three positive things about the day. The concept of teamwork seems pretty self-explanatory, you're contributing to the group and helping elsewhere. It's not really thatsimple, because there's more to it than just contributing to the group and helping where you can. Being a team involves people who will be creative, supportive, encouraging, open-minded and empowered to contribute. You can't half-ass teamwork. You're either working as a team or you're not. Sure... you can see people working together, but it isn't genuine until people start to build each other up, collaborate enthusiastically, and think selflessly about one another. The difference this makes is remarkable. It exists not only in morale but also in interactions with your colleagues and your functionality as a whole. It takes a drop to make waves, be proactive and be that drop.

4. Attempt to bond with colleagues.

To me, there's nothing better than getting a laugh out of a coworker after a long shift with an inside joke or sharing some food or drink I have that they might like. Some of my colleagues have brought in food and drinks to share with the staff, and even have little potlucks for people as they leave or have a special event in their life. It's not just about getting little gifts wolfing down delicious food, it's about building a connection. Start a conversation when or if you have some free time in your work day, or even invite a coworker to lunch or coffee to chat. The better you get to know them, the better you will be able to work with them, be able to give them a little boost of motivation, or even cheer them up when it's been a rough day or something unexpected happens.

5. Kill everything with kindness.

Kill all the pessimism, stand-offish behavior, and more with kindness. Whether you're dealing out a compliment here and there, offering your time and support to colleagues who need it, acknowledging feelings and more. Just be present. I feel like there's nothing better than when you're just having an off-day or just going about your business to have a colleague check-in with you and say something similar to, "Hey, how's everything going? Just wanted to check in, you seem a little _____." Even if there's nothing wrong or they have a whole story ready for you to hear, just put more heart into how you interact with people.

6. Avoid getting involved in office or work drama.

My workplace is a great example because we're all a great team. We're happy and enthusiastic in the work we do, but we're not perfect. Like any interaction between coworkers, it isn't always pleasant and there are times of disagreement and misunderstanding. However, I can tell you there seems to be little to no drama whatsoever and, if there was, it's dealt with respectfully and kept mostly to only the involved parties. Getting involved with drama puts you in a bad place where people can turn on each other, and ultimately diminish the team mindset. It can divide people where you work and ultimately create an extremely negative atmosphere, this makes everyone else's job and your job much more difficult. If it does happen to spring up and you're caught, take the high road and stay out of it.

7. There's a time and a place for humor, but USE IT.

They say laughter is the best medicine, and I agree that it's the best medicine to pessimism. Workplaces usually require a level of professionalism associated with your work, but sharing a funny story, post, video or joke can really be a day brightener. I still remember a lot of the jokes, stories and everything my colleagues and I have shared because it was a time for us to build a connection and it was a really great occasion when we could share that. It gives you and the others something funny to think and smile about while continuing about in your days. Just be careful and read your colleagues and the environment you're in. It takes time to assess a room and what kind of humor you should be able to use without being unprofessional.

8. Be consistent.

I know this seems like a lot to be asking but you don't have to be perfectly cheery and ready to share your bright and sunny rays all the time. Follow-up with people you talk to and don't let anyone who's jaded or overly negative colleagues get you down. Take what they say with a grain of salt, and move on with a smile. People like you who want to make a change in their workplace morale don't come around that often, so cherish your motivations and know that it takes time, be patient and push on. You're doing good things.

Whether you're in a cubicle, working from home, in a school or in an ER such as myself, it's so important to be passionate about what you do, the people you work with and the people you serve in doing your work. You have every capacity to do great things, it takes time. Embrace all of the little victories, whether it's a little smirk, a grin, a newfangled bond with a coworker or a collective belly laugh accompanied by the all-to-familiar tears of laughter that can result. You do you, boo boo... I tell myself this phrase EVERY. STANKIN. DAY. before I leave my home for work and right before I clock in: Be Positive & Be A Light.

Go out there and shine, my friends.