8 Ways to Better Yourself (and your Company) at Work

Let’s face it, having a job is a necessity for most Americans. We often spend more waking hours throughout the week at work (or commuting to work) then not. ​

It’s understandable then, perhaps even predictable, that over time one might feel a sense of stagnation and complacency at their job. Even if you didn’t intend for that to be the case, or even if it’s subconscious and you don’t even realize it, if you work long enough it’s likely to happen to you at some point, if it hasn’t already. Which is why it’s important to continuously make conscious efforts to better yourself at work  if you want to make yourself indispensable in the eyes of your bosses or get that big promotion you are hoping for. Here are a few practical efforts you could implement to do better at work and be more effective at your job.

HOW TO DO BETTER AT WORK: 101

1) Set The Right Goals

In theory it’s easy to set a goal. You simply think of something that you want and make that the goal. But the reality - it isn’t that easy. Not only should your goals be realistic, but you should construct a pathway to how that goal can be achieved. Finally, and most importantly, make sure you’re sticking to the guidelines you’ve put in place for you to achieve your goal. Employees that often-set goals outside their comfort zone that are also aligned with those of the company goals are most likely to standout and make an impact on the higher-ups

2) Ask for Frequent
Feedback

It’s one thing to set personal work goals for yourself and devising a plan to achieve them but if those efforts aren’t recognized as conducive to the goals of the company then you could be wasting your time and energy. But how would you even know if they are or not? Simple – ask. You should make it clear to your direct report that you are interested in receiving consistent feedback. The only way to know what is prioritized by your supervisors and to make sure you’re following the best path to tackle those priorities is by requesting feedback on your performance and progression. This will build a better report with your manager, instill confidence and direction, and efficiently streamline your route to obtaining your goals.

3) Make Sure to Give Yourself Down-Time

Another way to better yourself at work is having a well-balanced work life is essential. There’s an outdated school of thought that to be a better employee you merely need to work more and vacation less. There’s been numerous studies and publications that have deemed that way of thinking simply untrue. That mindset will almost certainly lead to work fatigue, burnout, and eventually contempt. Taking time off for vacation or to just recharge your batteries will go a long way to reenergize you at work, give you a refreshed sense of purpose, and substantially increase your productivity. In fact, there’s such overwhelming data that a well-balanced work and personal life drives greater productivity that companies across the US are adopting unlimited paid time off policies - such as Netflix, Zillow, Groupon, Dropbox, and General Electric, just to name a few

4) Work Smarter Not Harder

Let’s be honest, we all like to think of ourselves as excellent multi-taskers. There’s even a good chance you have that listed as a skill on your resume. While that might appeal to hiring managers and help you get hired, the truth is that employees who try to consistently multi-task are often less accurate, organized, and consistent then those with more streamlined work habits. Work smarter, not harder; stop trying to be a master multi-tasker.

5) If You Start Something, Finish It

This piggybacks off the multi-tasking mindset. If you have too many projects and tasks you’re working on at the same time it can often be difficult to manage, postponing their completion or not even getting them completed at all. Of course, hindsight is 20/20 but if you start working on project that never gets finished, then you wasted a lot of time and resources even starting it – in turn, you won’t better yourself at work. Don’t let that happen. If you start something, see it through to the very end and then move on to the next project or task

6) Arrive 15 Minutes Early

Sometimes a small change can make a big difference. Simply starting work 15 minutes early gives you time to organize, plan, and prioritize your day before it normally would have even started, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

7) Listen Up!

This is important, if not a crucial way to better yourself at work. Give people your full attention. Have you ever tried talking to a boss or coworker and they were checking their phone, typing an email, or flipping through paperwork? It can be frustrating, right? Make no doubt about it, listening is a highly coveted skill, especially in today’s world when distractions are plentiful and attention spans are dwindling. Be mentally and physically present, repeat back, and ask validating questions. Employers correlate good listening skills with the ability to lead.

8) Subscribe to the CobraHelp Newsletter

Seriously! Our publications encompasseverything from compliance to everyday business best practices. Learning about employer and employee trends, labor law updates, best practices, and new technology can set you apart from your coworkers and spark new ideas that could benefit your company. When it comes to be a better employee, knowledge is key! Learn more about CobraHelp here

About the Author Grant Ameel graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Science and a Minor in Economics. He has worked for over eight  years in a Human Resources capacity, specifically specializing in Federal labor laws. Having worked for small to medium sized privately owned companies, to working for some of the world’s largest employers such as Microsoft and Compass Group, Grant is CobraHelp’s resident expert on all things COBRA, FMLA, and employer compliance.

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