Wednesday, September 26, 2018
5 Ways to Get Ahead in the Workplace
We live in an overworked and underpaid society. Where this is most felt is in the lower reaches of the middle class. Those making between 40-70K annually are getting absolutely crushed in terms of the work-life-compensation balance. It is extremely tough out there and you can see how people in this position may have a certain outlook on the world. We will call it pessimism. Sadly, it leads to poor voting choices as well… There is a solution, in fact, there are many. I am going to go over 5 ways you can get ahead in the workplace to make your job a career. We all work a job but some of us are blessed to have a career. Let’s get more people into column B.
1) Voice your ambitions to the right people, fuck everyone else
Sorry for my language friends, but I am serious here. You must play the workplace landscape carefully. There are people that will be happy to see you succeed and others who wish the worst on you. One important note is never voice to anyone that you want someone else’s job. Right away if you do that you are creating a confrontation. If it is your goal to move up in the organization, make that known to the people that make those choices. Have a sit down with your leader and tell them you understand you must earn your way up, but that it is your intention to do so. So many people just plod their way through life, so showing some gumption will get you noticed. Be wary about telling your co-workers these ambitions. No one likes their shine stolen, and your ambitiousness will be seen by lazy people as butt-kissing. You gain nothing by telling the people around you what you want in life. Let them find out when it happens, it’ll be much sweeter that way.
2) Be that guy or girl
I saw a post on Facebook yesterday that I had to reshare to my followers. It said, “You will never be criticized by someone who is doing more than you. You will only be criticized by someone who is doing less.” People who go out of their way to be a good employee, a good friend, a good husband, a good citizen, win at life. You must make your job the breeding ground of what you what to be in life. I do not care if you are a garbage man, be the best damn garbage man in your town. The internet is full of stories of people who started out serving coffee at the shop that they later owned. Was it that guy who shows up late every day who later became the owner? Definitely not. Recognize when an opportunity exists and take the steps to be the person that can be counted on. This will mean late nights, early mornings, little sleep and a lot of underappreciation. Overcome it be knowing you are there for a higher purpose. That purpose is to better your life which in turn will allow you to better the lives of those around you. Winners go the extra mile, always.
What is Your “Why?” – Budget Boss
3) Get your learn on
With how fast paced the world moves these days, you must always be advancing your knowledge. I believe education is eternal and those who remain stagnant get left behind. Take your education seriously and dedicate a little time every week to advancing your knowledge. Even something as simple as one hour a week at the local community college can bolster your resume. Remember that advancing yourself may not lead to advancing in your company. What it will lead to is advancing in life. Your current employer may not see your potential, but someone else out there will. That is only if you show that work is important to you and knowledge is the foundation of how you perform at work. Things that always are useful to learn are computer systems, human resources, safety techniques, other languages, and various certifications that pertain to your field. We always hear about the guy in the 1970’s with the high school diploma who worked for 40 years at one job and received a pension. Those days are gone, and we can’t wish them back.
4) Genuinely care about your future
You must care about your future. I repeat you must care about your future. The reason why concepts like early retirement, financial freedom, leaving a legacy and becoming wealthy seem so big is that we have been trained to think of them as impossible. Here is a heads up: They are not impossible and in fact, they are quite probable if you take the steps to secure them. The first step is caring about your future. No one will ever care about your future half as much as you do. Most people don’t even care about their own futures, let alone someone else’s. If you truly care about your future, you will understand that its greatness comes from the good you do today. Every hour of overtime, dollar saved, kind gesture, goal accomplished is compounded in the wealth of your future. This is why I have such urgency today, maybe a bit too much if you ask those that know me. Good behavior and bad behavior is always compounded. It is probably why you see bad things follow some people around. Build the good, and a successful future is not a matter of if, but when.
10 Resolutions That Will Help You Win at Work – The Balance
5) Loyalty is for suckers
This is harsh, and a bit overblown, but hear me out. I believe one of the greatest qualities someone can have is loyalty. The problem arises when that loyalty is taken advantage of or neglected. One of the most misguided loyalties one can have is to their employer. Now, this directly contradicts point number 2 of this post, so let me explain. I believe everyone should show loyalty to their employer in so much as that loyalty is returned. I am a strong believer in representation through compensation. You want my heart, it has a price to it. If that price is not met, no heart for you. Understand that if you are in a situation where loyalty is expected but then not returned, remaining in that situation is your fault, not the employers. Know that if push comes to shove, you will be gone. I always find it funny when people get laid off and it is such a shock to them. Businesses are in business to make money. If they don’t make money, they must trim costs. Employees are a cost, so they must go. It’s not personal, it’s business. Therefore, their loyalty is directly related to their compensation. So should your loyalty. Know this as well, if you have a good employer who pays you well and treats you well, you should go to bat for them. Being an employer is extremely difficult, and being a good employer is almost impossible. When you find a good one your loyalty should kick in. That is how you go from working the grill at McDonald’s to owning 4 franchises. Recognize loyalty where it exists and more importantly, where it doesn’t.
The old method of stepping over people to get to the top is a risky game. You are better off working hard, learning as much as possible, being a pleasant worker and trying your best. Know that bettering yourself in the workplace is essentially bettering yourself in life and only good things can come from that. In my opinion, it is a must if you want to achieve true financial freedom.
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley
Email – joe@budgetboss.ca
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