How to be a better employee

Actionable steps to make your work-life a blessing

1. Speak up. There is no use in staying quite about things that stirrup your inner being and that contradicts you inner belief system, just ensure the “how” of it all, there are ways to come across without being overbearing or forcefull. Choose your words wisely.

“When you have something to say, silence is a lie.”

― Jordan B. Peterson, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

2. Show up. Choosing to consistently complain about things, without putting in any effort, is of no consequence and does not give you the right to complain. Showing up every day, no matter what will create meaning in otherwise meaningless tasks, if you decide to do something and give it 100% then it is impossible to be disengaged. Come up with new ideas, learn something, read, propose new things and try new things. Takes notes, adjust and try again. You can not be bored if you have this mindset.

3. Take responsibility for your lack of action. “No, my boss did not tell me to do this” is not an excuse for something not to get done. You understand your duties and your responsibilities, now go act following this.

4. Learn to manage your time. Anyone can be “busy”, anyone can seem as if they are the best and most valuable employee in the company, but if you are not also being productive, then you are a liability. What would happen if your company started paying you for progress over time? Would you still receive a salary at the end of the month?

5. Create something. Thinking about your job as a function that you fulfill is not the way to enjoy a job, rather think of yourself as a creator. If you have to make and deliver a spreadsheet, say to yourself “I am creating a solution or a visual representation that will assist my team to perform better in their functions”. This little mind-shift from “I have to do this”, to “I get to create this”, is a game-changer. Give it a try and see where that takes you.

6. Understand your role. Say you were hired a few months or even a few years ago, you are a part of this company but so much has changed and your role has been adapted ever so many times that you are kind of just there, you just show up, do what is needed and then you are on your way. There is no clear, cut communication about what your role is, what your function is or what your contribution towards the company is, this is career suicide and should stop immediately. Sure, doing a bit of everything si nice, but you know what is even better than that… having a purpose and not some bullsh*t corporate jargon titled job, but an actual one, that ties in with the role you are servicing.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for leadership. Many or most people want to be a part of something, they want to be led by someone who shows leadership. Someone who we can look up to this is extremely important in any working environment. So if you have a manager or a leader and you feel that you need more, that, that person can do and be more, stand up and say that. It will force your manager to step his or her game up which will enrich your working life, drastically.

8. Be grateful. Be grateful that you have a job. That someone is willing to pay you for your skills, your time and your expertise. Always be thankful. Don’t ever take your job for granted, no matter how bad it gets.

9. Leave gracefully. So you have followed the action items and you still see that things are not getting any better, your job is still mundane and slowly but surely killing your soul daily, you are sick and tired of office politics and you have had enough. You are leaving, no matter what. Wait just a minute. Make sure you have a solid plan more or less as follows:

• Plan and asses your next move carefully in advance, at least 6 months;
• Ensure that the next career move will add value, rather than subtracting (it has to be a step forward — per your values);
• Make a 6 months savings plan so if you do not get a new job immediately, you will have a buffer;
• Consider where you want to be in 3–5 years and let that inform your decision;
• If you feel confident that it is the right thing to do, inform your employer that you are planning on leaving, rather sooner than later;
• Do not burn any bridges when you leave your company;
• Only speak good things, if not possible, keep quiet, of your previous employer.

To read the full article, please check out https://medium.com/humanima/how-to-be-a-better-employee-3a659821ce2e?source=friends_link&sk=b1b30b4142ad2745168df4556d6890f2