Whether you’re working at a large international corporation, an emerging startup, or a small business, good work habits are essential for anyone who wants to succeed in his or her job. Regardless of how long you have been in your field, the principles are the same: Act professionally, show interest, and work hard.
Here are some work habits that can help you achieve career success.
Take Criticism Well
Your boss’s feedback is valuable. He isn’t necessarily criticizing your performance because he dislikes you. He may be trying to help you succeed.
Communicate effectively.
Managers appreciate employees with excellent communication skills. Whether it’s by engaging at appropriate times in meetings, regularly reporting progress on assignments, or reading social cues to choose an ideal time to talk, you will likely catch the eye of managers with these valuable soft skills.
Be a Problem Solver, Not a Complainer
If you have a complaint about something, always have ideas about how to make it better. When you turn negativity into positive action, you will sound professional instead of whiny.
Be Prepared to Not Know Everything
You certainly won’t know everything when you first start out, and you will still have more to learn even as you move up in your career.
Be punctual and dress professional.
Come to work dressed professionally and on time. Don’t watch the clock. Stay late when projects or assignments call for it. Business managers view employees that arrive early to work as more conscientious and give them better scores on performance reviews.
Respect and achieve deadlines.
. When managers can trust you to complete your work well and within deadlines, you boost their reputations. When you fail to meet expectations and deadlines, you embarrass leadership, making business managers look ineffective and you a target for dismissal.
Ask for Help and Offer It as Well
No one, no matter how talented, can do it all alone. If you need assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Realize others may require it too but may hesitate to ask, so offer a hand when you can.
Be Kind
There is nothing to be gained by not being nice to others. Being kind will make others happy, and they will have goodwill toward you. Be especially kind to those who seem the most miserable. They may really need it and it could have a positive effect on them.
Do More Than Is Required
Doing more than your boss or customers expect may get you recognition, and also, it will give you experience and personal satisfaction.
One of the most effective ways to impress your boss is to proactively seek out and gain new skills and professional certifications. If you want to move ahead in your career, you should attain the skills you’ll need for your next position. Pay attention to the skills your talented colleagues have and, perhaps more importantly, those you see in the personnel in the managerial positions to which you aspire.
Look at Problems as Opportunities, Not Challenges
This is because when problems arise, solving them gives you the chance to showcase your strengths and sharpen your skills.
Keep Personal Problems Out of the Workplace
Do not talk about your personal affairs at work. What you tell your coworkers could influence their perception, and your boss’s, about your ability to do your job and it could make you the subject of gossip.
Ask Questions
If you don’t understand how to do something, or how something works, get clarification. You may feel foolish asking what you consider a silly question, but that is much better than making avoidable mistakes.
Don’t go against Company Policies
Get the facts from someone whose job it is to know them, for example, the human resources department. If you ask a coworker instead, he or she may give you the wrong answer, and you will bear the consequences.
Prepare for Your Day
Arrive at work early and get ready for the day by anticipating what you will have to do while you are there. However, do not get flustered by last minute changes. So, make your plans in a way that you may have to modify it.
In conclusion, remember not to procrastinate. Putting off doing your work, even a project you dread, won’t make it go away. You might as well get it over with.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
