While they may not speak words, dogs have so much to tell us about life and even our career. When it comes to advancing in your career, sometimes it’s better to be a dog than a shark. In many career sectors, it’s better to have good communication and networking skills than always looking for ways to get ahead of everyone else.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to bark up a storm whenever a co-worker comes in the room, but it does mean presenting an energetic personality. Not only will this help you build better relationships with your colleagues and supervisors, but you’ll also have a better time at work. Below are some tips on how to move ahead in your career.
Become Happier at Work:
Show your enthusiasm. Learn to love whatever you’re doing. Take ownership of making this career choice by giving your full attention to each project that you do. When your job seems routine, remind yourself of its purpose, whether to provide for your family or invent new medicine. Take time in the morning before work or at night before you sleep to reflect on want makes you excited and fulfilled about your career. Showing your enthusiasm means that you see each day as a half-full glass, just waiting for you to make more fun memories. Sometimes just smiling will make you feel more joyful. Starting your day off with some energetic music to lift your mood and get you ready is an excellent addition to your morning coffee and breakfast.
Greet everybody. Take the time to wish everyone a good morning before you settle down to your tasks. Your relationships with your co-workers play a considerable role in your job satisfaction. Create a friendly atmosphere by exchanging daily pleasantries. People mainly remember you by how you made them feel, so it’s beneficial to greet people. You want to be the glowing presence that makes other people feel happy to be at work. Engaging with people and wishing them good morning also puts you in a positive mindset that will make working a more enjoyable experience.
Lend others your support. Take a break from your concerns to notice how your colleagues are feeling. When stress levels are high, offer your assistance and encouragement. You’ll feel good about helping out, and people will be more likely to reciprocate when you need a hand. This will also allow you to make connections with your colleagues. You’ll get the space to show exemplary leadership skills and learn more about other projects.
Give early warnings. Minor workplace conflicts can escalate if they’re allowed to fester. Speak out tactfully at the first sign of a misunderstanding. This will make your work environment much more pleasant than just growling right before you bite. It will also help to open communication between you and whoever you had a misunderstanding with. So many things get easily misunderstood, especially when working with other people. It’s better to be direct and receptive than passive-aggressive.
Bounce back from conflicts. Along with facing misunderstandings head-on, once things are resolved, it’s essential to keep moving forward. Forget about holding grudges. Put any unpleasant experiences behind you and demonstrate your willingness to cooperate with everybody to get the job done. Your career and overall mindset should rise above office drama and keep your energy focused on the work you produce.
Follow your instincts. Sometimes you have to respond to unfamiliar situations without much time to prepare. Trust your instincts when you need to take a risk. If it’s your first time giving a staff presentation, boost your confidence by adapting what you already know from your days on the student debate team. If you feel confused about a specific project, don’t feel insecure about asking questions to get a better picture. It’s always better to trust your instincts when you’re at a standstill and need a more detailed view or when you want to chase after something, even if it seems unlikely to achieve. The signals you get for your intuition are significant at picking up on things that your more logical mind has missed. It’s always better to take risks and learn along the way than play it safe and miss out on opportunities that could add to your career.
Get plenty of sleep. You may never be able to arrange your schedule to get as much sleep as your dog, but you can still strive for 8 hours every night. Adequate rest is critical to your mental health. When you get plenty of sleep, you’re able to focus better throughout the day, emotionally feel more balanced, and give more energy to your projects. Committing to getting enough sleep also means leaving the bar early or not going to the bar at all, unless it’s maybe a Friday. It means staying hydrated and eating well throughout the day. It also means getting plenty of exercise, so you’re able to release some energy, especially if you spend most of your day sitting. We all have those moments of FOMO where we get invited to something last minute and then regret it later because the fun night resulted in a hangover and lack of sleep. But when it comes to being happy at work, more sleep is always better.
Although chasing your tail may not get you anywhere in life, dogs are otherwise great role models for becoming more content and productive at work. They recognize the importance of collaboration, giving your all, and letting go of conflicts that come their way. If you put these attributes to good use you are bound to create stronger relationships in your work environment.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Lexi
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