Q. Whenever I get to work, my mood seems to change drastically. I feel unmotivated to do anything and get irritated at my co-workers quickly. I was not always like this. All aspects in my life are going just fine, and I do not understand why I have turned into such an unhappy person at work. Do you have any advice on how to have a brighter day at work?

A. Many people go through this at some point in their life with their career. It sounds like you're just at a standstill and need change. There are several good ways to overcome this and get back to being the positive person you once were.

1. Make or refresh your goals. Think about what you want from your career right now. Do you need new goals to achieve? Do you need something more challenging?

2. Talk to your boss. Perhaps your responsibilities are getting too mundane and you need some new projects. Ask your boss if there are new goals or something new you can tackle.

3. Try new paths. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out whether this job is for you. Maybe there is another department or type of work you think would make you happier. Contemplate all the projects you enjoyed doing and what you didn't like. Is this the type of job you were looking for, or did you want something different?

4. Smile. A smile is contagious. When you're smiling, others will smile back at you. This can put you in a better mood and lessen your irritation at your co-workers.