Today’s modern professionals not only need to keep their resume current but they also need to continually strive to improve their job performance to stay ahead in the competitive market. You cannot rely solely on your boss or company leadership to provide ways for you to sharpen your skillset.
Work is a big part of one’s life. Your work performance and how you make a living should be something you are proud of. Read on to learn strategies you can start implementing today to improve your job performance and quality.
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Stop Multitasking and Start Focusing
One of the biggest job performance killers is a lack of productivity. If you cannot develop good organization and time management skills, you will probably not get far in your career.
The internet and social media make it easier than ever to get distracted at work and waste time. Avoid distractions by taking short breaks throughout the day or installing apps to block websites that often distract you. Some programs like StayFocusd can even set a custom amount of time that you can be on certain websites of your choice.
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Volunteer to Do More
Volunteer to do the things others won’t. That intimidating big project? Volunteer and work with your team members to do a great job. You will sharpen your skills and develop new ones along the way.
Even if you are not a manager of any direct reports, you can get there by volunteering to mentor new hires or employees who are struggling. Or, if your department is piloting a new software program, volunteer to become the in-house expert and provide training for coworkers.
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Practice Clear Communication
Communication is key to maximizing your performance at work. The most successful business leaders are naturally inquisitive and look for innovative ways to solve problems. If you are not sure what you are supposed to do, don’t feel afraid to ask for clarification.
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Avoid Idle Chat, Drama and Gossip
It can be tempting to chat with coworkers and catch up on the latest news, but this can negatively affect your work performance and quality – especially if it becomes too frequent.
Developing relationships with the people you work with is essential, so take an interest in your coworkers’ lives but do not engage in drama or gossip. Not only can it harm your productivity and concentration but it can affect the way that others see you.
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Delegate Tasks
If you have the opportunity to delegate some of your workload to a colleague, do it. Sometimes tasks can be performed by more than one person and by delegating, you are simply moving it along to the right person to handle it. For example, could someone source the data you need for a report to be ready for when you need to write and present it?
Not only does delegating tasks remove them from your to-do list but it also shows that you can take the lead and manage tasks effectively.
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Make a Personal Development Plan
Do you have a plan for your career? Think about your ambitions, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Having a strong sense of direction can help you stay on track with your project goals and improve your performance at work.
Make a personal development plan once you have identified your areas for improvement. Ask your boss if there is a professional development budget so you can take a course or go to training events geared towards improving your current skill set and honing new skills. You could also ask if there are opportunities to contribute more significantly to the company’s future. Not only will you make progress against your plan but you will also look great for taking the initiative.
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Network
We often think about improving our performance within our teams or organizations but we can also work on our development in terms of our network.
Take the opportunity to build relationships with people at other organizations, similar and different industries, and online and offline. It is always beneficial to know the right people and you never know where you will find your next friend, business partner or new hire.
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Shadow a Coworker
Sometimes we can get stuck in our routines and find it hard to innovate or focus. If you want to experience something new, try asking if you can shadow a coworker. You could also explore whether a temporary transfer to another department is an option.
These opportunities help you learn new skills and build relationships with different teams and they position you as someone eager to develop their experience. You will also gain transferable skills that you can bring back to your current role. This can be especially helpful if you want to move into a role with more responsibility or ask for a promotion.
Whether you decide to visualize your ‘big picture’ goals or start arriving at work earlier, every small change can significantly impact how you work and how others perceive you. Commit yourself to try one of the tips above this week.
In the comment section below, let us know how you are improving your work performance and quality.
