By Sam Ast, Re-Entry Workforce Development Specialist, Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas
Ready to make your time spent at work more constructive? No matter the industry you occupy, knowing strategies that can help you to concentrate better, manage your time more effectively, better organize your day and take care of yourself can help enhance your professional efficacy and foster better career outcomes. To learn more, keep reading.
Work performance can be judged by a wide variety of metrics. Depending on your role and responsibilities, being a good employee likely encompasses traits and attributes that run the gamut. Attending work on time, showing up to and participating in meetings, and working well with others are a few standard characteristics of what companies and organizations are likely to expect.
However, there are other more specific ways to measure a worker’s contributions and results. These tend to be more focused on distinct deliverables tailored to a particular project or tied to certain ventures. For instance, a sales representative may have a certain number of calls to make and deals to secure. A grants manager might be expected to prospect several donors on a weekly basis and obtain over $100,000 in contributions during the first quarter of the year. Likewise, a package handler could be required to load two trucks every hour or process and label 1,000 parcels. Regardless of what your occupation is, you are required to meet some type of standard that demonstrates to your supervisors you are doing what is called for. Your proficiency to demonstrate that you have the ingredients essential to impact and contribute to your company will allow you to gain stature and make positive career progress.
The Importance of Organization
No matter the ways in which your work product is assessed, there are some universal ways that may help improve your ability to execute tasks. Knowing how to communicate well, keeping your workspace organized, taking care of your physical and mental health during off hours, utilizing collaborative teamwork and following a daily schedule are all great approaches to excelling at work. These general “soft skills” are no less important than the more distinct aptitudes required to do your specific job, and just as necessary.
One such skill of particular importance is concentration. In a world increasingly governed by what — and whom — can hold one’s attention, remaining focused at work is critical. If you work in a noisy environment, think about using headphones to block out ambient noise and minimize distractions. Try keeping side conversations to a minimum when you need to stay sharp and be cognizant of the risks of overconcentrating. Take breaks to minimize time spent looking at the computer screen or to give your muscles a moment to rest. You cannot sustain any useful amount of awareness if you are “on” or alert all the time. That said, there is no overstating the benefit of concerted efforts to stay on point.
Do you ever find yourself racing at the last minute to meet deadlines? Do you consistently feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have? If so, time management is likely something you should think about addressing. Time management and organization go hand in hand, with one enhancing the propensity for better implementation and application of the other. By keeping lists and adhering to a set schedule, employees can make sure that daily priorities are met. In maintaining a clean and orderly work environment, workers can minimize the risk of accidents and instead spend energy on fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Be it keeping track of meeting times, going through a safety checklist or simply clearing clutter from your desk, these tasks enable you to zero in on what really matters.
Collaborating With Others
Many jobs depend on your ability to work well with others. This ethos of teamwork is incredibly important to collective productivity. Communicating effectively, knowing who to go to with questions or concerns, receiving constructive feedback and facilitating worthwhile meetings are just a few of the ways people can cooperate. One way to operate constructively as a team is by identifying your shared goals, whatever they may be, and reaching accompanying objectives through recognition and deployment of the unique attributes and talents each individual brings.
With hundreds of career centers providing essential resources and personalized support, Goodwill® can help people overcome barriers and find meaningful work. Our career navigators are committed to making dreams come true by offering services like digital essentials training, career guidance, résumé assistance, skills certification, application help, interview prep and ongoing support, including financial assistance that can help you in your journey to find work or advance your career.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. If you need assistance with career readiness, developing marketable job skills or overall counseling regarding any of your employment needs or questions — we are here for you. Please stop by a Goodwill career center to learn more about how Goodwill can help you.
