Entering a new job can be an exciting experience, but we often lose some of that novelty and passion once we’ve adjusted to the daily requirements of our new position. Unfortunately, that loss of passion may also translate to a decline in performance, which makes our jobs less enjoyable over time. As it is with most things, however, it is more than possible to find that passion once again and perform the way you want to. If you are looking to impress your boss and reinvigorate your career, here are five ways to be a better employee.
1. Dress To Impress
There’s something to be said about the ritual of choosing a great outfit for your day. When we present our best, we feel more confident. When we feel confident, we perform to the best of our ability. Whether that means choosing out nice blouses and pencil skirts or looking sharp in a new suit, what you choose to wear ultimately decides how you feel and how you approach your day. When you dress for success, you are better able to achieve it.
2. Take Initiative In Your Role
There are employees who do exactly what is asked of them and there are those who go above and beyond to make sure that they are providing the most for their employers. Although doing what you are asked is an important aspect of being a great employee, seeking out opportunities to prove your worth and your potential for growth within the company will take you much further. Once you’ve tackled the jobs you need to do, look for other tasks that you can take care of and look for ways that you can provide further value to your employers.
3. Learn How To Organize And Prioritize
If you naturally struggle in your personal life to keep things organized or to follow through on tasks based on their importance, chances are that these issues carry over to your job, which greatly impacts your performance. The ability to organize and prioritize work makes it possible to execute tasks quickly and efficiently. Take a moment to assess your current situation, figure out where you are falling behind, and come up with ways that you can work around that. From basic to-do lists organized by most important to workflow tools that guide you through an entire project, there are more than enough tools out there to help you improve your organization and productivity skills.
4. Take Time To Fully Understand Your Role
From the requirements listed in your job description to the rights that you have as an employee, you should know everything there is to know about your role. Knowing this not only allows you to focus on all aspects of your position but protects you in the event of any problems that may arise in the future (for example, if you should be injured on the job, making a plan to find income protection with iSelect to keep you covered). When you have the opportunity, return to the original job posting that you applied for or dive deeper into your contract. This will tell you exactly what is expected of you so that you can get back on track, secure your position, and surpass your company’s expectations.
5. Approach Your Job With A Value-Based Mindset
Ask yourself, what do I accomplish in my job? Is your job just to do tasks, or are those tasks designed to help those who interact with your organization? No matter what company you belong to, they provide a product or a service designed to improve the lives of others. When you work for that company, you provide some type of value that allows your organization to accomplish this goal. Approaching your work with the mindset of providing value makes it far easier to do your job well. Remember what it is that you do and you will become a much better employee in the process.
Jobs can lose their luster over time, but that doesn’t mean that you have to. If you feel like you need to improve your performance and reestablish yourself as the great employee you once were, take some notes from the five tips listed above to approach your job with the enthusiasm and energy it deserves.