By Dr. Bruce A. Johnson
Online Career Tips, Guest Contributor
This content was previously run on Bruce’s profile in LinkedIn Pulse.
When asked about performance on the job people often point to specific circumstances, which may include a perception about their employer, a supervisor or manager, or their daily working conditions. They will go into detail about key factors that encourages or discourages their willingness to be fully engaged in their work. What if you discovered that the only thing that matters is your perspective of work itself and you are responsible for how well you perform? If you take this attitude you will become determined not allow circumstances to control you. This takes time and practice to develop, and the end result is that you are able to refocus your efforts on what you can control, which is how you perform on the job. If you become determined not to let circumstances be the reason why you perform to the best of your ability you will find that your work becomes more meaningful.
Rewards and Recognition
The most common sources of inspiration when it comes to performance on the job includes rewards and recognition, which are external sources of motivation. It is certainly important to be recognized for a job well done but those are events that are beyond your immediate control because they are still subject to personal interpretation. For example, you may produce exceptional work and still not receive the recognition or reward or promotion you believe you deserve or are entitled to receive. There has also been a lot written about the role of effective leaders and how they can bring out the very best in their employees. But if you rely upon that mindset it can actually become a crutch when you wait for perfect conditions before you become happy with your present circumstances. You may also point to a specific manager, owner, company, corporate policies, or any other elements that serve as a source of de-motivation. When that occurs it is easy to fall into a rut where each day you simply work to get the job done. This may lead to despair or a learned a sense of helplessness.
You are Responsible
Ultimately you are the one responsible for your performance on the job. It begins with a mindset and manifests through your productivity. A question that comes up is this: should you do what you love or love what you do? Of course you should do what you love; however, you are not always going to be in the perfect circumstances. This doesn’t mean that you have to love what you are doing but you should feel good about how you are performing. The attitude that you choose to embrace always shows through your work product.
If you need to change the circumstances you are in or if you need to develop a new outcome for your career then it is time to change your focus. The only true lasting satisfaction related to job performance is doing your very best regardless of the conditions. This requires changing your emphasis from waiting for the perfect job and external rewards to working towards internalized criteria that includes your goals, dreams, and aspirations. For example, if you create a new career goal for yourself and develop an action plan for it you have created a proactive mindset that will serve as a source of inspiration.
Make a Commitment
It is easy to get overwhelmed with current circumstances so what you can do is develop triggers that prompt you to refocus on your goals. Make it a priority to establish checkpoints and look for any indicators in your present attitude or outlook that may slow down your progress. The purpose of doing this is to remind yourself that you have an ability to make an immediate change in how you feel. That’s why people often say you are responsible for your own happiness because you choose how you react to situations.
When you commit to performing your very best you are taking responsibility for your actions and attitude, and you are working towards an improved sense of well-being and career development. Become inspired to continually improve your skills because of what you will learn and the goals you will meet rather than waiting for circumstances to change. This mindset will allow you to flourish in any given situation while demonstrating qualities such as resolve, dedication, and perseverance, which in time will improve your performance on the job and allow you to find new opportunities.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce A. Johnson has developed expertise with adult learning through advanced education in the field of adult education, along with his work as an instructional designer, college educator, professional writer, corporate trainer, and manager of training and development.
Comments are closed.