Using Self-Development at Work
Using self-development at work can impower your productivity. Self-Development is essential to get ahead at work; after all, self-development is about the inner drive for getting ahead. Nowhere else is an internal drive seen as an admirable component of a well rounded personal portfolio than at work.
You need to use self-development at work if you want to guide your future. But how do you get started in incorporating personal self-development goals into a work environment? By doing these eight things:
- Do A Work Audit
- Sett Goals
- Work On Your Strengths
- Help Others
- Stay Away From Energy Vampires
- Let Go Of Resentment
- Disconnect From Work
- And Enjoy The Moment (Work Moment)
Eight Tips That Empower Productivity At Work
Yes, it can be done. These eight tips can easily add self-growth at work and increase your productivity. Here is what to do
Do a Work Audit
Just like you audit your life, so should you review your work life. Stop and think of where you see yourself in the future. What makes you happy? Follow my Life Audit How in the PDF below.
Having a clear picture of where you want to take your career and life can save you a ton of anxiety. Most of our fear comes from not knowing what is coming next. But once you stop and answer those questions your mind has, then it can clear up room for doing things.
Set Goals
Once you have audited your work life, make those goals a reality by scheduling tasks. The only way you will see change is by doing the work.
One big clue that the work or goals you have chosen are the REAL deal is by listening to your feelings about the goals. Do the goals make you excited? Or do they make you anxious?
If they make you anxious, you need to reevaluate what is causing that hesitation. If it’s that you don’t know more about a subject, get to learning.
But if the reason is that you don’t love your goal as much as you thought—well, then let it go. I promise you it’s not wasted time or effort if you were to quit. It’s better to stop something that holds you back than to spend more time on it.
Work On Your Strengths
Strut your strengths like you mean it. If you are an excellent communicator, offer to talk to people. If you are a leader, showcase those skills more often, speak up and show you can lead.
When you lack a skill, don’t be afraid to educate yourself. If it’s a huge career leap or move, you might need to rethink a way to make it fit into your current work situation.
Working on educating yourself to move up in your career always makes you more attractive to potential career growth. People notice! But don’t freak out when it leads you to rethink moving from your current job, that happens sometimes.
Do Your Job, But Be Willing To Help Those Around You
You remember that quote, “People forget what you said, but never what you made them feel”? It never fails to amaze me what a little kindness can produce.
Being a genuinely good person and helping those around you succeed makes them feel appreciated, cared for. Being helpful to those around you helps them remember you, and that makes them happy to do the same back. Never underestimate the power of a little help.
Don’t Be a Work Vampire Victim
It takes all kinds― at work too, so try to stay away from people who take advantage of your helpful nature. It can drain you if you don’t put your foot down and say No.
Most people are not energy vampires. But I can guarantee there is always an energy vampire anywhere people work. Learning to say no to energy vampires is very helpful. Say NO with an open and kind voice. “Gosh Karen, I would love to, but today I am swamped.”
Standing up for yourself is an important work skill. Often bosses and managers just assume you can handle more because they have not heard you say otherwise. Make sure you communicate with your superiors if you have reached a saturation point.
If they don’t respond well to your concerns of burn out that is a clue, this is not a healthy work environment. Bosses can be energy vampires too!
Let Go of Resentment
Resentment almost always happens when you so innocently agree to things and situations you honestly did not want. Please THINK before you agree to something, no matter what it is. Is it something you like? Is it something you want? Is it something you can do? Is this person always needing help?
If you can’t do it with an open heart, then do not agree. If you expect something in return, say so. Be transparent in your exchange, or resentment will set in.
(P.S. The above advice can be used for a home situation too. Our partners need to know when we are not available to do more or want something. Don’t let unsaid expectations ruin your relationship.)
I can tell you with all honesty that this has been one of my biggest obstacles in self-development. Communicating your needs and wishes is essential; it’s part of creating healthy self-love.
Learn to Disconnect
Some jobs can suck the life right out of you. Learn to leave your job at work. When I worked as a nurse, I would have long, emotional days, and I did not know how to disconnect. I would bring it home and then wonder why I felt like I never left my job the next day.
Make it a conscious point to stop thinking about your job the minute you get in your car or bus. Practice a one-minute meditation by putting on a calming song and refocusing your mind on deep breathing.
While sitting in your car or on the bus, with noise-blocking headphones. Deep breath for at least five minutes. The more you practice this, the easier it is to disconnect from work stress.
I love disconnecting from all work stress; it allows me to center my mind so that I can enjoy my family more.
Practice Enjoying the Moment
Meditation goes hand in hand with mindfulness. You see, meditation leads you to mindfulness. By quieting your mind, you allow for enjoyment of the now.
Part of the reason most people hate their jobs is that they have forgotten how to live. Instead of making it a point to look at their career through a child’s wandering mind, they get lost in the routine. The routine will make you miserable. Practice doing what you do with full attention, the smell of the office, the rain outside the window, the noise of human chatter behind you.
Happiness at work is all in how you look at it. I remember watching a documentary on what caused real happiness — it was all in the person’s perspective in living life. If a man can be happy hauling tourists on a trolley pulled by the cheer drive of his muscles, I can be happily wiping a butt on a daily (I was a nurse, and now a mom, lots of butts I have cleaned). It’s all about that perspective.
Conclusion
I usually write and help people navigate self-development in a personal setting outside of work.
But self-development is the same, no matter where you place it. It’s all about you and the way you deal with people, things, and stress. You already have a goal of having a more genial personality and getting things done, so why not continue this self-development into your job?
If I may? The one and the most crucial takeaway tip is the last, Practice Enjoying the Moment. Without doing this, you will burn out while doing any job. A self-actualized person needs to keep that as the number one empowering productivity goal. Now go and be productive, my friend.
I hope these eight tips help with bringing self-development to your work and increases your productivity.
If you have a few moments and more questions, check out the rest of my site for more self-help topics.
- 5 Self-Love Rules You Are Probably Breaking
- The Number One Reason You Should (Do) Journaling for Mental Health
- How Trauma Affects You: The Costs of Ignoring Trauma
- 6 Real-Life Examples That You Are Prepared To Change
- 5 Ways To Turn Your Wounds Into Wisdom
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