10 Ways To Step Up Your Work Performance Game
Whether we’re establishing new work habits or just trying to waste less time surfing the internet, change is hard. We like to do what we’ve always done. It’s easy. Familiar. There’s a reason we call what we already know our “comfort zone.” It’s cozy in there. Here are 10 ways to up your game:
1. Go to work well-rested and presentable
Never show up to work looking like you just rolled out of bed. Take a shower, wear clean clothes, use deodorant, brush your teeth, and do your best to look presentable. Also, get a good night of sleep before work so that you can be as mentally and physically fresh as possible. Every interaction you have in the workplace will reflect either positively or negatively upon you, and you can very easily increase the positive-ness of those interactions by just taking a half an hour to make yourself presentable.
2. Minimize negative comments
Every work environment provides ample opportunities for negativity, whether it’s just workplace gossip or your manager is asking questions. While it might feel good to participate in the negativity of gossip, don’t (feel free to listen, but don’t jump in with the negativity). Even when supervisors are seeking comments on other workers, hold back on the negativity and look for what positives you can find. Negativity in the workplace drags everyone down and positivity lifts everyone, so stick with the positive.
3. Don’t “backstab” anyone
Along those same lines, you’ll have many opportunities to “sell out” others in the workplace. Avoid it at all costs. If you have an opportunity to discuss other workers or particular situations, you might perceive that piling on those workers or those situations will benefit you – rarely is that actually true. Instead, look for the positives you can outline about anyone or anything.
4. Do every task you’re given as well as you can
When you’re given a minor, menial task, it’s often very tempting to do it with minimal effort just to get it done. You’re supposed to sweep the floor, so you do it mindlessly and do a mediocre job. You’re given something to type up, but you don’t bother to check it for typos. You’re given a mundane system administration task, so you overlook a basic step. Instead of falling into that trap, try to give your complete focus to the task at hand and do it as best you can.
5. Never use your sick leave as “extra vacation.”
In one environment where I worked, this problem was endemic. As soon as a person had enough sick leave built up to take even a single day off, that person called in “sick” like clockwork – with one exception. Want to guess who the one person was that received a raise and then, later, a promotion was? It’s fine to use your sick leave when you’re actually ill, but consistent and reliable presence in the workplace is a huge benefit for your long-term career goals.
6. Improve yourself in your spare time
The simplest way to do this is to work on getting in better shape. Get some exercise and eat a healthy diet. Doing this will improve both your energy and your appearance, things that are purely beneficial in any work environment. If you have a job that requires some specific skills, find ways to improve those in your spare time as well. Keep up to date on your specific area of knowledge. Learn what you would need to know to take the next step in your career.
7. Step up to challenges when they present themselves
When a challenging situation comes up, don’t shy away from it. Step up to the plate and give it your best shot. If you think it might be over your head, ask for help when you need it. If you show yourself able to handle challenging tasks, you’ll become a more valuable employee, and a more valuable employee gets more perks.
8. Be a leader when it’s needed
When difficult situations occur, every workplace benefits from having someone they can rely on as a leader. Be the person that speaks for the workers during a meeting. Be the person who helps people out when they’re going through a crisis. Eventually, you’ll find that people simply come to you by default – and that includes management.
9. Own up to your own mistakes
If you mess up (and you inevitably will), admit to the mistake and do what you can to rectify it. Don’t try to hide it. Don’t try to pass the blame to others. Everyone makes mistakes. The winners are the people who own up to those mistakes and then go the extra mile to fix the created problem.
10. Stand up for yourself when you want a raise or promotion
If you want a raise or a promotion, be clear about it. Ask your supervisor directly for what you want – and be able to make a good case for it. If you get a “no,” ask what you need to do to put yourself in position for it and do just that. If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one will.
