5 Ways to Get Ahead at Work

Instead of focusing on ways to move our careers forward it can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day of the job in ways that distract us from getting ahead, or worse, sink us into career despair and dissatisfaction.

There are some habits and traits we can instill into our daily work routine that will help propel our careers onward and lead us to more enjoyment and accomplishment at our workplace, including:

Making your boss a success. When you strive to make your boss successful you make yourself essential to your companies’ success. It is likely your manager will recognize these efforts and offer you greater opportunities and responsibilities as he or she learns to rely on you as someone that can be trusted to get the job done.

  

Owning mistakes. We all mistakes, however, and a successful person is often one who can recognize mistakes and take ownership for them without blaming others for the failure or diminishing their responsibility for it.

Supporting the team. To get ahead in your career demonstrate that you are a team player and can support others and step in to help when needed, especially before the help is requested. A good leader recognizes a need and makes a proactive attempt to be supportive and helpful without making others feel they are not holding their own.

    

Being optimistic. Let’s face it: work is not always fun but to move your career forward you should be known as someone who takes an optimistic view of the challenges of your work and the potential of your company. That doesn’t mean you are unrealistic but that you recognize what is required to succeed, both individually and as a company, and cheerfully embrace the challenge.

Speaking positively about others. No one wants to work with a gossip or with someone who speaks negatively about others. That includes your clients or customers. It’s a small world and your negative comments will usually get back to the person you spoke of, damaging your relationship and your reputation. Strive to avoid critical and negative conversations and, instead, speaks words of encouragement and support to those you interact with.

Applying these basic principles will help you get ahead at work while developing a reputation as a trusted and respected colleague.