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We’ve all been there before – working hard at our jobs day in and day out, taking on extra responsibilities, putting in longer hours, but our paychecks never seem to budge.
While annual raises are out of our control, standing out from your co-workers in a positive way is one strategy that increases your chances of getting noticed by the boss.
Today, I’ll share 14 impactful yet attainable ways you can help your career and compensation by differentiating yourself at work.
Whether you’re looking to negotiate a better salary at review time or simply hoping your efforts will be recognized, implementing some of these tactics can slowly but surely help move you up the ranks both professionally and financially.
#1. Work in Chunks
Working in chunks makes it easier to help you focus as you know that you will be working for a specific amount of time before your scheduled break.
Some people use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes focus, 5-minute break), while others work in much more substantial chunks, like 90 minutes.
#2. Block Websites That Are Stealing Your Attention
Technology has made it so that humans can accomplish far more in substantially less time than they did in the past.
The problem?
It also makes it easy to get distracted when we have a wealth of entertainment at our fingertips.
Use website-blocking apps to help you stay on task.
Some will even redirect you to the websites you should be on.
#3. Tackle the Most Difficult Tasks on Your List First
It can be hard to focus on some of your larger projects later in the day if you’re already tired from other tasks and just waiting for the day to end.
This is why many will use a strategy called “eating the frog” or taking care of the most challenging and energy-intensive tasks first.
You’ll be able to breeze through the more manageable tasks later in the day.
#4. Put an End to Multitasking
Multitasking sounds like the perfect solution to low productivity, but it can often do more harm than good.
When you’re splitting your attention between multiple tasks, you only get a little bit of each done at a time.
Commit to one task, finish it, then move on to the next.
#5. Cut Out or Reschedule Elements of Your Workday That Take Too Much Time
Things like checking your emails, engaging in meetings, and taking care of other tasks that don’t involve work take away valuable time.
See if you can cut out certain activities or schedule them for later in the day so you have more uninterrupted work time.
#6. Establish Your Own Deadlines
Are you constantly struggling to finish things on time and pushing them forward?
Set your own deadlines!
If a project has a deadline in the future, establish milestones and aim to get things done ahead of time.
Your future self will thank you for chipping away at it so you’re not trying to slog through it and losing out on time to do other work.
#7. Take Breaks (and Break Away From Work When It’s Over)
You can’t be your most productive self if you are burnt out and run down.
It’s important to take regular breaks so that you can recover mentally.
Make it a priority to stop thinking about work the moment you’re off.
If you’re taking things home, your work day never stops.
#8. Create a Distraction-Free Work Area
Where you work is as important as how you work.
Are you surrounded by buzzing electronics and other items that keep distracting you?
Clear as much as possible out of your space and shut off all unnecessary electronics to stay on task.
#9. Reward Yourself
Intrinsic motivation is the best motivation to continuously be productive, but extrinsic motivation works well in a pinch.
Promise that you’ll reward yourself with something once you complete your task, and you may find yourself finishing it faster.
#10. Accept That Some Things Can Be “Good Enough”
Perfectionism can be a major productivity killer.
While some tasks do have to be done perfectly, many can be satisfactory.
Allow yourself to be comfortable with the concept of “good enough,” so you’re not spending so much time on tasks that should take substantially less.
#11. Gamify Your Work
Not all work is enjoyable, but you don’t necessarily have to deal with it.
See if you can find a way to gamify your work.
When you turn things into a game, you can easily get through the less desirable tasks.
#12. Use Timing Software to Track Tasks
It can be hard to see how you could improve your productivity if you don’t know where your time isn’t being utilized efficiently.
Use time-tracking software to track how long you spend on every task at work.
Then, identify which tasks are taking the longest and why so you can make the necessary adjustments.
#13. Keep A Good Attitude
The most important thing to remember is that a positive attitude will take you places.
No matter how difficult or dull the task at hand may be, always maintain a cheery disposition and tackle it with enthusiasm.
This will make an impression on your boss and demonstrate your ability to stay motivated in any situation.
#14. Stay Organized
It’s important to stay organized and on top of all tasks.
Set up a system that works for you, whether it be using lists, reminders, or calendar events.
This will ensure that nothing gets forgotten and you’ll be able to easily manage your workload and prioritize effectively.
By staying organized, you can efficiently keep track of deadlines and make sure you’re on top of all your tasks.
How to Earn a Raise at Work
Do you want to make more money? Of course you do! Sadly, most people wait until their review to ask for a raise and are disappointed when the answer is no.
A better solution is to follow a plan that ensures you get a raise of 5% or more.
HOW TO EARN A RAISE AT WORK
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Do you what separates the wealthy from everyone else? It’s their habits.
The good news is learning their habits is simple which means with a little effort, you too can become wealthy.
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We all know we grow wealth by investing in the stock market or putting our money into savings accounts.
But many of us are unaware that the best returns are by investing in ourselves. When we improve ourselves, we have the ability to earn a lot more money, which makes it easier to become filthy rich.
LEARN HOW TO INVEST IN YOURSELF
This thread inspired this article.
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
Visit my About Me page to learn more about me and why I am your trusted personal finance expert.
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