How to survive working in London!

Jan 18, 2019 5:06:13 PM

London, the urban jungle of dreamers, hard workers and brutal characters. Well, maybe not the whole of London but it is easy to presume the people that work here want to succeed (who else would do such long commutes if they didn’t have to!) For someone like me who lives outside of London and is on average commuting three hours a day here and back – I completely understand the frustrations of London! I will not say I am an expect, I still have very bad thoughts regarding commuters on the train, but here are a few tips if it is your first time working in London or, you are starting to lose your sanity.

For some additional reading this blog has always helped me to figure out what I can control in my working day and what I can put aside  Effective ways to handle stress at work

Considering working AND living in London – Read this for some tips

How to not commit a crime when you encounter rude commuters

By commit a crime I mean, when a rude commuter pushes past you and is shouting swear words, you must contain the emotion building up inside of you not to attack them! This is a difficult one for me as I struggle to handle rude people on transport. Especially 8am on a Monday morning! The one tip I can give you is to breathe. Without realising it, while they are having a go you will have been holding your breath. You cannot control their reaction and behaviour so don’t let it control you. For all you know, they have had terrible news, under a lot of pressure or not able to handle stress well themselves. Keep to yourself on the train and get lost in a book, episode on your phone or music.

If their behaviour is too much, then I would recommend moving from where you are standing / sitting if possible – I have done this more times than I can count and it removed me from the centre of the situation and having to listen to it all!

Busy, busy, busy - London is non-stop and you need to remember this!

Have you heard of the phrase, ‘the city that never sleeps!’. Well, you can count London into that category. There is a reason why it is the social hub and working city of the UK. But, do not take it likely, it is a jungle and you do not want to get lost in it. Also, a big tip to remember is that in London, everyone knows everyone. If an employer has a bad impression of you, it is easier in the city for another potential company to find out. Keep calm, keep professional and remember where you are! If you are unhappy in a job, then always remember to be the bigger person and leave a good reputation of yourself.

Don't fall victim to the lights of bars and clubs

For such an individual who has never worked in London before, especially if this is your first job out of University or in a city, then you should know many before you have fallen victim to the bars, nightclubs and restaurants. There are those who will see a young professional and want to take them on the town – this is great to get to know your team but remember to not make a habit out of it. Firstly, London is very expensive (and I guarantee there are better things you can be putting your money towards). Secondly, you do not want to join a company and be known as the drunken colleague. Lastly, it will catch up to you. Before you know it you are not sleeping well, and your quality of work is being affected! We recommend saving a big night out for the end of each quarter as a reward to yourself!

No matter how long it may be, take time for you. Keep your mind in tact

You have probably heard over and over how your colleagues feel run down, tired and mentally drained – in London this is a daily occurrence. Without even noticing the week has gone and all the days are blurred into one and step by step little aspects of your life will lose attention. No matter how busy you are, if you are not functioning at 100% and taking care of yourself, you will be useless at work. Even if it is a whole weekend, half a day on a Saturday or 15 minutes a day, take time for you. Read a book, book a massage, watch a movie, have a nap or just sit and breath. You can be the master of every aspect of your life if you want it enough.

Set a time and keep to it

Organisation! We have had this said to us ever since we were little. Easy to say but harder and harder to accomplish. When our diaries seem full to the brim with paperwork smothering our desks, organisation can seem like an unachievable goal. IT IS DOWN TO YOU! It may not feel like it, but you are in control of your day and how you structure it. Use your Outlook calendar to its full advantage and stick to your times. Once your time on a task is finished, if it does not require further attention, then move onto the next. You run the risk of looking at your morning and realising you spent too long on one task when four more were waiting to be looked at. It will take time but gradually you can claw back control of your working day. (Trust me, it makes Friday even sweeter when you have achieved so much)

Priorities, what you can control, what you cannot control

We are all guilty, (unless you are a total work-life balance guru) of spending time agonising over factors of our working day and lives that we cannot control. Whether it is a mistake we made 2 years ago, or a project result we want to correct or the mindset of a colleague that frustrates you – there is simply some things we cannot change.

A very simple sentence to say, but one that once you have wrapped your head around it, will change your complete outlook on your personal and professional life. Make a list or in the moment, analyse if you can control the problem or not. If you cannot, then toss it aside! Give it a go and you will not regret it.

Get up 30 minutes earlier than what you are now

Now, before you throw me on the fire and declare I am the devil, hear me out. I know that each one of you love your sleep – but is it worth it when it results in you rushing to work in a flustered mess? I am going to lay on some shocking wisdom for you, are you ready?

If you are getting home at a reasonable time, avoiding the temptation of nights out every week, staying organised, focusing on your health and mindset, along with putting your priorities first – you will not be so tired each morning that you cannot get up earlier. WHAT! WHAT! WHAT!

To prove it is possible, I recently got back from a holiday to Bali where my time zones were completely messed up. I came home to falling asleep at 8.30am and waking up at 4am! I have over the past few weeks managed to tweak it to sleeping at 9pm and waking up at 5-5.30am. I leave the house at 7am and leave myself plenty of time to eat a full breakfast, slowly get out of bed, pick an outfit for the day, make lunch and even finish an entire cup of tea! I cannot believe I was rushing around at the end of last year. I dare you to try it for one month and then tell me you do not feel better prepared for the day and have more energy.

You have annual leave - take a day!

We have all worked in places, and you may do now, where using your annual leave is the forbidden word. Your managers judge you for taking a full lunch break and god forbid you request a day of your annual leave.

Believe it or not, they are not supposed to do this and if it is in your contract that you have annual leave to use then use it! Is it not better to take a day off for yourself to relax when you need it, rather than waiting till you fall ill with stress and need a full week off? Handling and organising your working life include giving yourself a break when it is needed. The productivity you will experience when you get back will make it worthwhile. KNOW AND APPRECIATE WHEN YOU DESERVE A BREAK. No one can tell you different if it is true.

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