When you’re starting a new job or a business, the one thing you want to achieve is success. That’s because success encompasses all the things people are looking for in a job, including financial rewards, influence or power, and the joy of doing what you love.
But no matter how you define success, there are only four consistent things you need to do to achieve it, starting with:
1. Getting your work done.
It sounds pretty common sense, but it is often overlooked. How many times have you failed to get the job done because of lack of focus, lack of energy, or failure to prioritize?
Sometimes the reason we are unable to complete tasks is we don’t understand what is expected of us. Make sure you know what you have to do and what your managers are expecting from you. Communication is key. Ask questions or request for a meeting if there are tasks or projects that need to be clarified. Know your role and responsibilities at work.
Feeling overwhelmed that’s why you can’t finish anything? Avoid overcommitting. Break big tasks into smaller ones, so it will be easier for you to get started.
If you find yourself procrastinating, a simple trick is counting backwards starting from number 5 and forcing yourself to work on it. You can give yourself 5 minutes to work on the task and the permission to stop if you don’t really feel like doing it. Also, focus on one task at a time.
2. Build healthy relationships with your colleagues.
All jobs require some form of human interaction. You can’t achieve success alone. You need others to help you work on the goals of a task or a project. Harmonious relationships also make tasks lighter, because the support of people around you increases your confidence and happiness at work.
There are simple ways to nurture healthy work relationships, but the most important step here is to forget about your ego. That includes admitting and asking questions when you don’t understand something and acknowledging and thanking a colleague who has been helping you. Don’t wait for your colleagues to greet you before you do. A simple good morning/afternoon greeting or smiling when you bump into them in the hallway are friendly gestures that can help foster harmonious relationships at work.
Another way to build healthy relationships at work is by making an effort to reach out to your colleagues. Get to know them. A good conversation starter is asking how they are and what their hobbies are. Every person I know loves to talk about their hobbies. Listen and ask questions.
3. Improve your work by learning new skills.
Growth stops when you stop learning. Whether you’re entry-level staff or the CEO of a multinational company, you need to continue building your knowledge and skills. Don’t let past successes get to your head. The moment you consider past successes as a sign of mastery, there’s a tendency to stick to old ways of doing things without paying attention to changes around you. Challenge yourself to find better ways of solving problems and responding to changes.
4. Have a healthy work-life balance.
When the desire for success is intense, the first two things that people neglect are their health and personal relationships. You find yourself working long hours, extending work over the weekends, bringing your work at home, and delaying or cancelling personal events.
This is a sure recipe for burnout and increases your risk for depression. Burnout, according to Harvard Business Review, is not just about exhaustion, but also about loneliness. The lack of social connection can increase anxiety, raise heart disease or stroke risk, and weaken your immune system. Work-wise, you also become less productive as you don’t give your mind and your body the chance to recharge through rest.
Which success tip has worked for you? Let me know in the comments section below.
