In this uncertain economy and ever changing job market, people are more concerned than ever about how to keep their jobs and move up in their careers in 2010. The rules of the game are changing, and now its more important than ever to review your personal strategy for success as well!
Here’s 5 quick tips to help you perform better in 2010, ensuring you’re not only passed by during the next round of lay offs, but considered for a advancement and a promotion too.
1. Ask yourself this question, "Do I contribute to my work environment, do I take away from my work environment, or am I neutral?"
If you contribute, your employer will do whatever it takes to keep you. If you cause problems, they can’t wait to let you go. If you’re unnoticed and do nothing to separate yourself from the crowd, it doesn’t bother them to let you go. When Joy from Nevada, first came to www.DaniJohnson.com, she had this unfortunate experience. Why? She hated her boss and he knew it. She had no respect for him, gossiped behind his back, and thought she could do his job better. She wasn’t a contributor and she wasn’t neutral; she ‘took away’ from the environment. After attending one of our live events, Joy learned how to contribute to her boss. She not only kept the job, she now has been promoted!
2. Don’t overpromise and underdeliver!
This drives employers CRAZY and is a sure way to lose your job. When your boss gives you a deadline for a task or project, make sure you fulfill your commitment. I’ve employed a lot of people thru the years. The people that continuously ‘drop balls’ are the ones that cause the most stress. If you cause your employer stress, you’re on the ‘next to go’ list. My recommendation: if you run into challenges that inhibit you from completing the task, don’t wait until the deadline to inform your supervisor or manager. Come to them immediately and let them know. Ask for their advice, insights, or suggestions on how it could be done better. You both have the same goal; the task being successfully finished so they will be willing to give their advice, opinion or suggestions.
When you do this, three things happen:
1) You look good to your boss – most people love to work with teachable people.
2) The job gets done exactly how they want it and on time.
3) You make your boss look good, as well as feel good.
So, rather than overpromising and underdelivering, underpromise and overdeliver. When it’s possible, turn things in early. Go the extra mile. Do what others won’t do and do it with a smile.
3. This is not the time to be slacking!
If you are texting, tweeting, facebooking or emailing to your personal friends on company time you deserve to lose your job. If you’re talking on the phone or planning personal activities while at work, you’re simply asking to get fired. Employers are under an amazing amount of stress right now. The market is more competitive and they are looking for people they can trust to get things done and in a timely fashion. Treat your job as though it was your business. As though you were the one who invested all the time and money to get it off the ground, and if it fails, your family and your employees don’t eat. If it fails, it is your reputation that goes down the toilet. Become what I call an ‘employee-prenuer’. Take ownership in what you do. Where there is ownership, there is commitment. Where there is commitment, there is success. The reverse is also true, where there is no ownership, there is no commitment and where there is no commitment, there is NO SUCCESS!
4. Don’t give in to wearing your emotions on your sleeve by putting ‘fear’ on at work!
It is one heck of an ugly suit! If you are afraid of losing your job, it’s written all over you. Everyone at work can see fear on you anyway. At the same time, fear is contagious and doesn’t get a pay check. Excellence and diligence does. I have found it nearly impossible to do a great job at anything when I am wearing ‘fear’. I suggested this to Kim, a client from Georgia, during a coaching session. Kim stopped wearing fear and put on confidence and excellence. She ended up with a $25k raise when others were laid off.
5. Kiss your bad attitude good-bye!
I was recently on an airplane and was shocked at the conduct of the flight attendant. This is an airline that I decided along time ago I would no longer fly because of how rude the flight attendants always are. They were rated one of the worst airlines. However, recently things have changed. They now say ‘please’ and with a smile. They are now having friendly conversations with their clients. They have changed their demanding tone to a friendly tone. People like to be treated with respect. They like smiles and ‘thank you’s’ and ‘please’. They like to be honored. Even if you are going thru something difficult in your personal life, leave your problems at home. A bad attitude will lose your job, which will add to your problems, not fix them.
Have friends, family or business associates who would enjoy this post? Share it and get them involved! Re-post to your Facebook, Twitter (tweet and retweet!), Digg, or personal blog page now. Or announce this to your team by email. And don’t forget to send us your comments below too!!
Danni,
So true. I loved the article but would move #5 to #1 and put it in a category by itself. A good attitude is wonderful to be around and just makes everything else run smoother!
Good stuff,
scott…
Well the rest is on you, another piece of solid advice so are you going to take the ball and run or are you just going to remain the same and worry about having a job tomorrow? If you are have relational problems with your employees, co-workers or friends you’ve got what we call junk in the trunk and I would highly recommend you get to http://www.firststepstosuccess.com. WHY? Because I was once an employee but fortunately from all the people skills I’ve developed because of that event. 1 I know I could go back and be the best employee not bragging at all, SKILLS. 2. I won’t have to go back to being an employee because I’ve learned how to run my own business from home, SKILLS. Use what you’ve learned in this article, it was free and it works. Take Care
Excellent article Dani and Hans! I want to print it and give it to everyone at work. I really needed to read this, and especially #3.
God bless you!
Damaysi
Thank you Dani. This was right on time. God bless and pray for us in Detroit. When you coming here?
thanks for every thing and i will pray for every one when i come there.
God bless u Dani for the insight
This hit me in the gut. WOW!
Thanks Dani, appreciate the advise. God Bless
Dani,
Your advice is priceless! You have been blessed with so much wisdom! I only hope to absorb everything I hear from you and somehow apply it all in my life to be a better mother and wife and to be able to finally succeed in our business!
Many Blessings!
Dani ~ Your advice is right on and always is .. We owned several successful businesses for over 35 yrs. When our people showed they were coachable if needed and showed great attitudes .. We’d cut them slack and always told them how much they meant to us .. We would go to the wall for them and give up other things to keep them in hard times ..
What words of wisdom for these trying times around the globe …
GOD Bless You and Hans …
Phil Ballard
My Website above was wrong .. It’s now right .. Thanks again, Dani .. “You are a BREATH OF FRESH AIR To our industry and to the world” … “You are so needed by all” …
Phil,
Thank you Dani for such good advice! All of us need a reminder at times.
thanks Dani your advise is so good to me Godbless you.
thanks for everything.
I’am currently searching for a CNA position in the Clearwater FL. area 33764 or pinellas county
Ha Dani,
God has a special place for people like yourself. The words of wisdom that flow through you are wonderful. I personally want to thank you for making me a better person, harder worker, and positive attitude Queen!!! LoL God Bless you and yours. I will keep plugin’ into the training you are blessing us with.
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Thanks for this great relationship entry. It might just help mine out. Thanks again!