By Adrienne Erin
Contributor, Online Career Tips
You’ve been working at the same job for what feels like years on end, and you don’t know where your career is going to go from here. Sound familiar? While the economy in recent years hasn’t been all that helpful in terms of upward job mobility, it’s not the only factor in your career success. Part of that success, or lack thereof, may be related to the way you view and do your job day in and day out. If you’re looking to make a change this year, look inward, and start making some changes with how you approach your work day.
You Give in to Distractions
We live in a culture that encourages multi-tasking, but that often doesn’t lend itself to good productivity. Too often our phones, multiple email addresses, and social media sites take focus away from the job at hand. If you find yourself clicking open your email more than once an hour, you might be giving in to distractions a bit too frequently. Every time you check your email, or take a quick peek into Facebook to see what everyone is up to, you’re disrupting your work flow.
To stop giving into distractions, plan out your day. Set aside a certain timeframe to check your email, as well as your social media sites, and stick to that time. That way you’ll still get your “break” from work, but it’ll be planned and you won’t spend hours upon wasted hours not focusing on your job.
You Approach Your Work with a Negative Outlook
While you may want to work your way up the career ladder, your first focus when you sit down at your desk needs to be your current job. That also means that you should start out the day with a good attitude. Your attitude and outlook can make a difference, not only in your productivity level, but in the way others view you and your work.
Along the same lines, own the results of your work. Don’t get defensive if someone offers criticism on the latest report you’ve turned in; graciously accept it and see if their advice can help you improve with the next task you need to do. On the flip side, if you get praised for your hard work, accept that praise. And if you did something good, like land a new client? Make sure your boss or manager knows about those accomplishments. The more they know about your stellar work, the more likely they’ll think of you when that new — and higher — position opens up.
You Forget About Your Personal Health
Balance is key in life, and that means finding a way to balance the demands of the job with the demands of your personal life. If you feel like your work is suffering, look at your life as a whole. For starters, have you been getting enough sleep lately? Going to work tired can affect your productivity and your performance.
Additionally, if you work too hard, your health can suffer. Be sure to schedule your annual checkups with your doctor as well as plan your annual dentist office visit. By keeping yourself healthy, and well-rested, you’ll be in a better mood when you go to work, and your work will often improve.
While there’s a lot of factors when it comes to moving up the career ladder and finding success with your job, it all starts with one person: you. Focus on yourself and becoming a better person, both on the job and off, and you’ll see those improvements reflected in your career.
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