Good Work Habits That Will Boost Your Career
The work habits we practice on a day to day basis can also have a dramatic impact on future career advancements. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for career advancement, these habits will help you stay ahead and thrive in your role.
Productivity
1. Do your urgent tasks first
Before you begin your day, write yourself a list pinpointing the three most crucial tasks you want to complete for that day. Prioritise them in order of importance and break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This will help you to stay on track for the day and avoid getting overwhelmed by the volume of work.
2. Say no to low priority tasks
A common mistake employees make is accepting work that is not their responsibility, which in turn affects their ability to be successful in their own role. Resist the urge to do minor tasks that only stunt your ability to reach targets and instead, ask yourself whether that task is truly an effective use of your time.
3. Incorporate an individual weekly review
A weekly personal review into your own routine can be beneficial to ensure you are accomplishing your tasks for the week as planned. Question yourself about the quality of your work, take note of anything you may have forgotten and ensure it gets completed before the end of the week.
Motivation
1. Take small rests or breaks
Something as simple as making yourself a tea to reward yourself for completing a task can have a dramatic impact on your drive to produce high quality work and your efficiency in doing so. It also gives you a moment to stretch your legs, increase blood flow and prepare yourself to begin a new task when you return to your workspace.
2. Adopting the Pomodoro Technique
This technique is aimed at working in focused sprints (e.g. 25-minute intervals) with short breaks in between to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.
3. Remove distractions
Distractions such as your phone, personal email, and other various notifications decrease motivation by making you want to attend to them immediately. Be sure to turn your phone on silent and place it out of reach during work hours. If you stray away from distractions during work hours, having the freedom to attend to your phone during your lunch break, and after work becomes your reward for remaining so focused.
Development
1. Never stop learning and investing in your own development
Stay relevant in your career by attending workshops, taking online courses, or earning certifications related to your field. Not only will this help to support any future job searches, it will also show your employer of your commitment to your role and personal development.
2. Keep up to date on your company and the industry as a whole
Follow competitor companies, news and knowledgeable individuals within your industry on LinkedIn, and invest a small amount of time a day into keeping yourself aware of industry trends and how they will affect your career as well as your company’s success. It can also be helpful to set up a Google alert to notify you whenever there are trends on any given topic.
At Wild Berry Associates, we aim to place you in relevant roles where you feel you can progress and to assist you in your career development. We do this by ensuring we gain a full understanding of your personality and aspirations. Additionally, we provide a skill evaluation, CV and interview advice, and share our extensive market knowledge.
Get in touch with us today to get started on your career journey!