5 Tips for Being Successful at Work

[Julio Gonzalez]

No matter where you are in your career, most jobs require more from you than just showing up and doing your job. The workplace can be competitive and challenging. To be successful and stand out in your role, it requires dedication, drive, strategy and hard work. Here are 5 tips that I like to share with my new team members to help them succeed.

1. Identify and Set Goals - One of the most important ways to be successful in your role is to identify and set clear, specific goals for yourself as well as your team. Take a step back to look at the bigger picture of what you want to achieve and break it down into smaller, achievable steps. Assign due dates to those steps and have a system or process in place for tracking your progress whether that be as simple as being written down in your notebook or as complex as having a project management software. Constantly tracking your progress will help you stay motivated, focused, productive and accomplished as you check off each step.
2. Focus on Building Strong Relationships - It is vital for your success to build strong relationships with your clients, colleagues and managers. These relationships can help you navigate any complex dynamics at work as well as help you gain support, mentorship and valuable insights. Ensure that you are always being responsive, respectful and reliable. Go out of your way to seek out opportunities to share knowledge and collaborate with others. Most importantly, be open to constructive criticism and feedback.
3. Look for Learning Opportunities - You will need to be continuously building your knowledge and skills and seeking out learning opportunities in order to stay competitive and advance in your career. To do this you could take courses, attend training sessions, seek out a coach or mentor, and read articles and books. Investing in your own personal development will help improve your job performance as well as position you for future growth and advancement in your career.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to be Proactive and Take Initiative - Oftentimes, being successful at work requires more than just doing the tasks assigned to you. You will need to be proactive and take initiative in order to stand out and have a more meaningful impact. To do this, you need to take ownership and responsibility for your work, look for ways to add value or contribute beyond your assigned tasks, identify problems and propose solutions. By doing this, you demonstrate the value you add to your organization to your employer which positions yourself for growth and advancement.
5. Have a Positive Attitude - A positive attitude is crucial in the workplace not only for you but also for your team and clients. It can help you stay focused and productive, overcome challenges and build strong relationships. It can also help you inspire respect and trust from others by projecting confidence and professionalism. Focus on your accomplishments and strengths and look for opportunities to learn and grow. Be grateful for the good things that have happened in both your life and your career.

Hopefully you found these tips useful and they can help you achieve your goals and find success in the workplace!

[Denis Ponder]

I would argue that these traits are beneficial regardless of square peg or round peg.  Have a plan, take initiative, network, grow/learn, and don't be an @$$hole are traits of most successful people.  You can be successful with varying degrees of each, but the journey is much easier if you embrace these and work at them.