Whether you are interning for a semester or working part-time (or full-time), work can be… quite dreary (and mundane, for many). However, like with all things, it’s what you make of it.

Change your attitude, and everything else will change! 

Here are 7 things you need to do to thrive– not only survive– at your workplace.

1. Come to work 10 minutes early.

If your work day starts at 9:00am, try to get there by 8:50am. Give yourself some time to get settled in, get some coffee (or tea), and mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead.

2. Say hi to everyone.

Let’s face it— you’ll probably spend more time with your co-workers than you will with your friends or family. Thus, building good relationships is a must! A simple ‘good morning‘ can pave the way for more positive interactions throughout the day.

3. Do your work with excellence!

If you do your work simply to “get your work done” or to “get the paycheck,” you’re probably not going to be satisfied with your work. If all you’re thinking about is ways to impress your boss, you’re probably going to feel lost, confused, insecure, or inadequate.

The bottom line is, don’t work for the show but work for your own satisfaction! Do work that you will be proud of.

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.

4. Brainstorm & be proactive.

You might be assigned very specific tasks on a daily basis (especially if you’re a short-term intern), but there’s bound to be some downtime or room for creativity. When you have such time, take advantage of it! Initiate projects and offer new ideas! This is your chance to shine!

5. Take breaks & s t r e t c h!

Breaks are good. Take the time to refresh your mind and your eyes (esp. if your job has you staring at the computer screen all day)!

6. Ask questions and be honest if you don’t know or understand something.

Your questions, however small or “stupid” you might think they are, will probably be appreciated. Think about it— if a student claims to know everything, the teacher wouldn’t have much to do. Likewise, your supervisor probably wants to assist you in the best way possible and is waiting to answer your questions.

7. Think from the perspective of your boss.

If you were the boss, what would you want from your employees? Would you like yourself?