The tree’s stripped and ready for recycling. The lights and ornaments are packed away in the basement. And holiday gatherings are a distant memory.
It’s time to get back to work.
The first days of the New Year represent the chance to renew your approach to making a living, no matter what your job. Here are 10 ideas to consider to becoming the best you can be at work in 2004:
Know your place. Compose in 200 words or less a personal description of how you fit into the business or organization that employs you. The result should have the similar ring to it as the mission statement the company has adopted as a basis for achieving the results it seeks.
Know your boss. Gain control of your relationship with your boss and decrease one of the major sources of on-the-job stress. Understand clearly what your boss expects of you and deliver it daily. Although some bosses can be unpredictable, most adopt behavioral patterns that border on ritualistic. Know them, as well as how your boss likes to receive information (written, electronic or oral presentations).
Know that bosses hate surprises. Realize you are the boss’s eyes and ears. When you sense impending problems with a customer, a vendor or system breakdown, find a non-threatening way to bring it to the boss’ attention immediately. Having a solution to offer will enhance your standing, as well.
Improve your employee worth. On your own, learn something this year that will add to your business acumen, improve your productivity and enhance your career development. Community colleges, technical schools, extension courses and non-traditional four-year colleges abound with useful courses that will add to your business skills and dress up your resume.
Choose opportunity over change. Since you have little chance to prevent change from occurring at work, shape it to your best advantage by discovering the hidden opportunities that the change offers you. Then act on it.
Become a decision-maker. Though it may not be "your job," learning to make a decision or solve a problem that otherwise would routinely be kicked upstairs may improve your unit’s efficiency, saving time and perhaps money. Be careful, however, that your decision is clearly justified and does not violate policy.
Tear up your "to-do" list. Instead of listing everything you want to get done, then don’t, manage your day by making appointments with tasks. First focus on your most meaningful concerns, (succeeding at work, personal growth, family, maintaining close friendships) then address them by assigning related tasks into appointments, ranging in blocks from 15 minutes to four hours.
Build business. Whether you’re in accounting, drive a bus or climb power lines, cultivate a new customer or potential employee each quarter. Have a short "sales pitch" about your employer ready for encounters away from work along with a business card to offer contact information. If you are not compelled to advertise your place of work, consider moving on.
Develop a mentor. Strike up a mentoring relationship with someone you respect, look up to and whose values are clearly aligned with yours. Your mentor doesn’t have to be someone in your career field; he or she can be a close friend, partner or spouse. A mentor’s greatest value is to provide you insights and experiences you otherwise would not have.
Prepare an exit strategy. You may love your job today, but change can come fast and cloud your career future. Update your resume at least twice yearly, prepare cover letter templates in advance to keep you in "job hunting" practice.
Have a great year at work.
Write Eric Zoeckler at The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206 or e-mail mrscribe@aol.com.
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