to give you a higher chance of getting a salary raise, and maybe even a promotion; to make you indispensable and therefore more valued; to further your professional and personal growth as an individual.
Needless to say, all of us want to be better at our jobs, right? Most of us would want to contribute the the development of our companies, and some of us may even adapt these quick fixes to aid them in developing their online businesses. Whatever you objective may be, the fact that you want to make yourself better at your job is a great step. Embrace it–you’re trying to be a greater version of yourself! You’re trying to make the salary you receive worth it. How exactly can you start with this?
1. Be adaptable to change.
Nothing is going to stay the same during the course of your work. With that said, there are always going to be change in your work environment. The way you work this year may not necessarily be the same with the way you work next year. Action Plan: It’s important that you maintain the quality of your work (and even improve it!) so that your boss will pay more attention to you.
2. Build–and consistently sustain–your network.
Have you ever heard the saying that your income is the average income of the five people who you hang out the most? Make sure to connect, reach out and develop sustainable relationships with authorities in your field as you’re going to need them to help you work on your skills and knowledge. Action Plan: Go to networking events. Mention an authority figure on Twitter and connect with him by talking about common points of interest. Subsequently, ask them out for coffee.
3. Think differently.
Don’t be afraid to be a thought leader. Don’t just conform to the traditional way of thinking–it’s okay to challenge preconceived notions once in a while. Action Plan: Go the extra mile and create productive things related to the industry of the company you’re in. Volunteer to contribute to your company blog, to speak at your company’s events and even to represent your company when you’re invited to be a part of a panel.
4. Prioritize and get the most important things done.
You can easily be overwhelmed by your workload if you constantly face concerns and if you let these concerns easily pile up. For you to do the most important things, relate them to your job first. Action Plan: Ask yourself: will doing this ultimately make yourself better at your job? Will this make a difference? If yes, then, go for it. If no, it’s better that you delegate it and let someone else deal with the not-so-important matters.
5. Always keep updated with the current events in your industry.
Innovation is one of the factors that can help your company (and therefore your position in your company) thrive in your industry. For you and your company to succeed, you need to have a significant competitive advantage that can help put your company at the top of the game. Action Plan: You don’t need to scan your local newspapers anymore as all the resources that you need are also available online. For a better understanding, you can even attend seminars and trade shows that can be valuable in shaping your skills and knowledge. In the end, to make yourself better at your job, you shouldn’t just focus on delivering better reports or spending more time with your bosses. Being better at your job is a matter of self development. Aim personal development first. I guarantee you that your professional development will come and follow.
