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It doesn’t matter if you work for a small business or a Fortune 500 company, or you own a business being a boss lady, the only way to thrive professionally is to continually seek improvement and to deliver results.
Developing professional habits are essential to succeeding in the workplace and being a valuable professional.
Here are ten habits and behaviors that are essential for both your workplace happiness and your professional growth.
#1 Always show up 10 minutes early
When you’re early you are just plain cool! One of the techniques of successful people is arriving early for meetings.
Why bother showing up early when you can blame any number of things for “making” you late?
When you’re early you can hear the boss complain about the person who is running late – at least ”your boss is not complaining about you!”
You are at a significant advantage if you start a meeting fully prepared, relaxed, and focused.
Plus, you get extra information the late arrivers miss.
Invest in a good alarm clock-
#2 Say yes to new tasks
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“Make a disciplined yes first. Figure it out later.” – Entrepreneurs, founders, and creatives.
One of the fastest ways to accelerate career progression and to excel in the workplace is to say ‘YES’ to opportunity.
When you say yes to a new opportunity, you are empowering yourself. Light that fire, and you will be amazed at how far the light travels!
Saying yes is the quickest, most efficient way to learn. As a human, you’re the only creature on the planet capable of actively developing yourself.
Remember, not being able to do something at the beginning does not mean you’ll never be able to do it.
#3 Step out of your comfort zone
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Change is inevitable, and many of us (myself included) aren’t all that comfortable with it.
Staying in your comfort zone for extended periods is like an extended holiday in one place only.
By stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new, you might find an activity that you love and it might even become a passion of yours.
It can be scary at first, but I promise that once you do, it’s SO worth it and you won’t miss out on new experiences!
After all, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” – Neale Donald Walsch
#4 Find a mentor
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There have probably been countless moments in your life where you’ve leaned on someone you trust for advice or assistance.
It’s often easier for someone outside of yourself to notice where you need improvement.
A mentor gets to know your strengths and weaknesses over time and can play a critical role in helping you become the best version of yourself.
It is best to find a mentor who’s several years ahead of you in your field.
They can even introduce you to their professional network and help to set you up for success in your career endeavors.
#5 Keep your resume, CV and LinkedIn updated
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Just like certain wardrobe choices, parts of a resume can come in and out of style.
Updating your resume can help you stay on top of trends and stay focused on what’s important.
Knowing how to sell yourself effectively is a key aspect of a successful job hunt.
Do yourself a favor and regularly update your job search credentials even when you’re not looking for a job.
Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile regularly can help you refocus on what your career goals and expectations are.
#6 Work on your hardest tasks first
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Completing smaller tasks first is constructive procrastination, and destroys productivity.
Getting the hardest task out of the way allows you to coast and creates a positive mood, which increases productivity.
With the hardest one completed, the rest of them seem easier to complete.
For many people, the hardest step of all is getting started. If this sounds like you, get a wall planner.
Make a plan of your work starting with the hardest-first and dive right in.
#7 Get and stay organized
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Without a doubt, time is our most precious resource. Staying organized saves you lots of time.
Suddenly, your ETA will be “NOW!”
If you’re disorganized, you spend several extra minutes (or hours!?) each day, searching for the things you need.
Having things organized and easy to find will ease your stress level and ensure you are operating at an optimal level of productivity.
Reducing stress is the biggest benefit of being organized!
Plus, when you’re less stressed, you run less of a risk of stress-related health problems such as anxiety, depression, heart problems, etc.
#8 Ask for feedback
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Do you remember the last time someone gave you any feedback on your performance at work?
If you had to think about it for more than a few seconds, it was probably too long ago.
Feedback is a tool for continued learning. Invest time in asking and learning about how others experience working with you.
By asking for feedback, it can actually motivate you to perform better.
If you’re a business owner, feedback from clients can be used to motivate you to build better working relations.
#9 Add the extra touch to everything
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It’s the little things that add that extra touch of class. Start putting extra touches on things.
Need to pitch a client? Add some cool graphics and show your graphic designing skills.
Sending a monthly report? Add some infographics.
Anything you can do to “wow” someone in your workplace will help you stand out professionally and strengthen your career!
#10 Be Consistent
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“Everything you want is waiting for you on the other side of consistency” – Read that twice.
Small actions carried out repeatedly will amount to big results over time.
When you do something for a long period, you’re different from those who aren’t consistent.
This can help you attract new opportunities that may not have been possible if you hadn’t been consistent.
Consistency truly is key when it comes to success and you’ll only have yourself to thank!
Choose a goal, create a plan to track your activity for at least 60 days or until it becomes a habit.
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