5 Ways to Feel More Independent at Work

As we celebrate our country’s Independence take a few moments to evaluate your own freedom. How independent are you at work? Do you go in each day and depend on someone else to tell you what to do?

An important part of the enjoyment we get out of our work is the degree to which we are self-sufficient and direct our own work.

While your work routine might be not be flexible due to the needs of your company, you still have some opportunities to gain some independence and variety at work. Try these five approaches to feeling more independent on the job.

Take on greater responsibilities. There are likely other tasks you can take on in your job. Don’t be shy. Talk to your manager and volunteer to do more. It might not result, immediately, in a pay increase but it will expand your abilities at work, make the job more interesting, and increase your odds of gaining a promotion in the future.

Learn new skills and gain additional knowledge. Similarly, seek out knowledge and skills in other areas at work. The more you know about your company, the field you work in, and the various tasks required to do the job well, the more employable you’ll be and the more your employer will trust you to get things done.

Mentor or supervise others. Demonstrate your knowledge of the job and your leadership abilities by volunteering to mentor new employees. Seek out opportunities to supervise or manage the work of interns. You’ll gain valuable managerial experience and demonstrate your ability to move into roles with more responsibility.

Expand your network. Just as it’s important to learn as much as you can about the work of your company and your field, seek to meet new people, particularly within your company and in areas you are unfamiliar with. You might not only gain a new friend, but also a new opportunity to move into another job later down the line.

Work at home. If your company allows employees to work at home take advantage of this perk. Working from home provides freedom you don’t always feel when stuck in an office, cubicle, or at the plant, and allows you to demonstrate your ability to get things done without close supervision.

Paying attention to these areas can help you increase your freedom at work, expand your opportunities, and increase your enjoyment on the job.