Everybody wants to be awesome at their jobs, and I guess you’re no different. It’s easier said than done, however, and there are a number of things that can get in our way.
You may be suffering from personal issues and stress that needs fixing. Your core skills may not be up to scratch. Maybe your journey into work itself is affecting your performance. Whatever the case, identify the issue and take steps to resolve it.
Firstly, ask yourself this – do you even need to improve your work performance? Perhaps you suffer from inadequacy issues and you feel that your perfectly solid performance is mediocre. Unless your boss has called you out on it, I’d hazard a guess that you are doing rather well at work. So don’t let minor psychological worries get in the way.
On the other hand, if you know you are doing great at work – but want to do even better – I applaud you. Again, this is easier said than done, though, but if you assess your situation you can find ways to improve. So, whether your performance is lacking or it’s booming, there are always some things you can do better. Here’s the ultimate guide to bettering your performance in the workplace – good luck!
Improve the circumstances of your commute
According to many, many surveys, the main cause of stress during our day is the commute. Trains being late, traffic jams, no petrol… it’s a damn nightmare. Perhaps you’re getting to work all tired and worn out, and it’s this that is causing you problems?
Well, fear not my friend. Maybe simply altering the circumstances of your commute could be the simple solution you need? If you drive in, swap to getting on a train instead. You’ll be able to stay relaxed and seated, and won’t have to deal with any traffic issues. Or, if you already use public transport, see if you can walk to work instead. The fresh air, the sunshine, the light breeze – it’s amazing what the elements can do for you.
Identify the core skills you need for the job, and hone them
Whatever your profession, there will be a set of core skills that you need to work on. If you operate in the retail sector and are constantly facing customers, you’ll need to hone your customer service. Don’t waste time practicing other arts like your writing or numerical ability. They’re largely irrelevant to your position and you have to focus on improving the bulk of your job, not one tiny aspect.
Similarly, if you’re a graphic designer, practice using Photoshop. There are many places to get these tips, such as youtube.comNewWorldOps or simply browsing Google. Identify the skills that got you into this job in the first place, and the skills that constitute the bulk of your work, be it writing or ICT. Once you’ve done that, focusing on improving them to the best of your ability.
Crush those personal problems, stresses and worries
If you are well aware that your work performance is being affected by external factors, then you already know the answer. You have to try your best to separate your work life from your home life, as the two are very rarely interwoven. Understand that things won’t get better by your work performance suffering. If anything, they’ll get worse.
If you need help with any stresses or worries, you’ve no shortage of options. From a provider like http://www.healthassured.org/employee-assistance-programmes to even some basic yoga, find an answer. The quicker you act, the faster your performance will improve!
Think positively, all the time
In every situation, no matter how negative it may seem, try and find the silver lining. You want to the biggest football stadium in the world to watch your team play, and they lost? Well, you still went to the biggest stadium in the world!
While not work-related, you get the point. If you feel you completed a task poorly or not to the best of your ability, learn from it. Ask yourself why. Mistakes are a healthy part of everyday life, as only by making them can we learn from them and improve. No matter what the day brings, keep your mindset focused, positive and attentive. You have to make the best of every situation in order to produce a killer workday.
Focus on one job, then the next, then the next…
Many people from many different industries will take on too much work, causing burnout. What’s more, it can be hard to know when you’re doing it, and even harder to stop. As human beings, we are naturally programmed to want to work and impress, but we have our limits too.
So, identify your limits. If the workday runs from 9am to 5pm, drop everything at 5pm and go home. That’s your legal right. Unless specified, you aren’t getting paid for anything extra. If you want to do overtime, make it explicitly clear that you expect to be compensated. Try and balance your personal life with your work life too.
Similarly, if you work in a freelance or self-employed capacity, it can be hard to know when to stop working. It may feel great to accept loads of job offers and pitches, but will you be able to complete them all comfortably? Will they be completed to a high standard? Perhaps not. So, know when enough is enough. Focus on getting one job to a great standard, then do the same with the next. It works wonders.
Put yourself in your boss’s shoes
It might sound strange, but give it a try. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of what your boss expects from you and your work. Once you know exactly what they want, you’ll be able to deliver it.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. That’s what they’re there for. It would be far better to get a piece of work right by asking them about it, than getting it wrong by not asking. If you’re struggling to communicate with your boss, then speak to your colleagues about the situation. They may be able to offer advice.
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To your success,
Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex
Your Coaches CoSydney & ArtSHINE
