10 Things You Should Do To Be Better At Your Job In 2016

All of us want to be better at our jobs, right? With a new year approaching, many people have an “out with the old and in with the new” mentality—and work is usually a big part of that. Whatever you objective may be, the fact that you want to make yourself better at your job is a great step. Embrace it–you’re trying to be a greater version of yourself!

Here are 10 things you should do to be better at your job in 2016…………..

1. Anticipate your department’s needs.

Being a reliable source for your department leader and seeing opportunities for your department to improve are great ways to be better at your job. Take on tasks that your department leader may not need to oversee directly and present a finished product to him or her. Seeing this initiative from you often helps them understand that you can handle tasks proactively and things will not be falling solely on their shoulders.

2. Get to know your boss better.

Your boss controls your destiny so it’s in your best interest to get to know them better both personally and professionally. It doesn’t mean you need to be friends with them or hang out with them, but you do need to learn what makes them tick. The more you communicate with your boss, the better it is for you. While you’re at it, get to know your boss’s boss as well.

3. Assume success.

Your positive attitude can be seen in your facial expression, posture, tone and speed of your voice.Be confident in your work. You’re uniquely qualified to do exactly what you do. Imagine that everything you contribute helps the bottom line. Even when things are dicey, you can challenge yourself in 2016 to use setbacks as opportunities.”

4. Study your industry.

Your industry is constantly changing and you need to keep up with what’s happening now. Most industries have trade magazines or websites that have the latest news in that industry. It’s important to read these so that you are well informed and can discuss recent industry events and changes with your co-workers, supervisors, and management. Information is power.

5. Always come to the table with a solution.

Offering a solution or idea is only half of the equation and many managers feel that an idea without an action plan will only create more work for them. Share ideas with context and a clear path for implementation for the leader to evaluate. The more you present any issues with recommended solutions and then implement those solutions in a timely and effective manner, the more the leadership team will rely on you and think about you for future projects and new responsibilities.

6. Find a mentor.

Everyone needs someone to teach them the ropes; to guide them through their career. Find someone at your company whom you respect and want to learn from. You don’t need to directly ask them to be your mentor, just keep the communication lines open and take them out to lunch once in a while. You can talk to them about non-work interests as well–but when you need work advice, they’ll be there for you.

7. Improve your communication skills.

One of the most common mistakes made by both managers and employees today, is that too often, both are afraid to come to the table and talk about underlying issues, Fear of confrontation is so overwhelming, but if you communicate boldly, more frequently, and honestly in 2016, and you’re not afraid to work through conflict, you’ll likely reduce your stress and be a better worker.

8. Work harder and smarter.

Some employees set limits and boundaries for themselves as far as the number of hours worked or how much work they’re willing to do on a project. It’s important to go outside these boundaries and go with the flow -. Having said this, working harder is not enough. The key is to be able to work smarter so that you’re maximizing your abilities and making the most out of your time.

9. Don’t overwork yourself.

If you’re already an overachiever, have been dubbed a “workaholic,” or are generally exhausted, then you need to slow down and break the habit of setting impossible goals for yourself in the New Year-You may have to recalibrate and expect, say 75% of your workload to be achieved in a set period in order to feel fulfilled. If you’re a manager, this approach may take some of undue pressure off staff, too.

10. Volunteer to get involved with special projects, particularly those across business units.

The more you can help across all business units, the better- Lending expertise, time and effort to other teams will help you get to know other aspects of the business as well as help you connect with people across the company. However, remember that your current position and duties are the most important, so be sure not to bite off more than you can chew.