How To Be Successful At Work

Do you want to know how to be successful at work?  Being successful in your job will help you secure raises, move up the corporate ladder, or generally make a work day more rewarding. Here are five steps that will help you impress your boss and colleagues.

1. Be a team player. Nobody likes working with the guy who is clearly only looking out for himself. In his book “Don’t Fire Them, Fire Them Up,” Frank Pacetta writes that team building is important in a business because “when teams compare notes in a freewheeling atmosphere, it reinforces (that) the district is the ultimate team.”  By working effectively with coworkers and helping them achieve goals, you may find that when you need help with a project others will be more likely to help you. 
2. Show up early for work each day. This tactic works on two levels. Politically, if you’re in the office before your boss, you’re likely to be seen as an achiever who’s diligently trying to get results. On the practical side, arriving early helps organization and allows time to plan the day’s attack before coworkers arrive and sidetrack workflow with other priorities.
3. Tackle the grunt work. Every office has tasks nobody wants to do. If you take on these onerous jobs gladly when others openly scorn them, you’re likely to raise your stock with your boss and have success at work. This action alone can make you a “go to” person in the office.
4. Toot your own horn. Don’t get carried away so you’re seen as egotistical, but if you don’t promote yourself there’s a good chance others in the office won’t recognize the great work you’ve accomplished for the team.
5. Network. Everyone at work has a title, but not everyone is important. To have success at work, find out who the movers are in the office and help them with any project possible. Networking guru Keith Ferrazzi says to “never eat lunch alone.” Use this time to find out who is working on which project and who is up for the next promotion. Does this sound like you’re trying to “game” the system? Sadly, working hard without understanding the office game can severely hurt your chances of landing a better job or the next raise. Attach yourself to the right people.

By following these five steps you’re well on your way to success at work. People will see you as a team player who attacks work early in the morning, accomplishes the tough tasks, communicates about their success, and always seems to be around those professionals who are moving up the corporate ladder.

References:

Ferrazzi, Keith, and Tahi Raz. Never Eat Alone: and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time. New York: Currency Doubleday, 2005. Print.

Pacetta, Frank, and Roger Gittines. Don't Fire Them, Fire Them Up: Motivate Yourself and Your Team. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. Print.