BY DES SQUIRE (published in The Star 19th May 2008)
There is no magic about being happy in your work but there are certain standards of behaviour to assist in creating an environment more conducive to happiness, to your personal success and to career progression. It's your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude in life and your chosen career.The only way to enjoy your work is by adopting a professional approach to all you do and become professional in every aspect of your job and your dealings with others. This entails having respect for yourself, respect for fellow workers, respect for your company, respect for clients and respect for the quality of the work you do.Take away respect and you are left with nothing. You may have all the skills in the world but without respect, that is worth nothing. It is the responsibility of management to lead and direct you to ensure your development, but it's your responsibility to be a willing, responsible and enthusiastic employee, and a willing learner. You must be prepared to allow others to mould you. It is important to understand your role in the company, where you fit in and at the same time to learn about the core business of the company. This way you can strive for excellence and accept responsibility for your own career.Think about your current position and company and ask yourself the following:
· Why do you go to work each day?
· What does your work and responsibilities at work mean to you?
· What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
· If you could change anything you currently do, what would it be?
· What are your ambitions?
· What can you contribute to the success of your company?· What have you contributed so far?Then complete the following exercise:Consider your present position. Are you are performing as well as you should be?List all of your personal strengths and weaknesses.How do your strengths assist you and how do your weaknesses hold you back?What can you change, why would you change it and do you want to change? Write a personal development plan to make you perform better and to ensure you will be a good role model for others.To excel in your career, you have to get to know yourself and how you relate and interact with others. When you work with others there are sure to be differences of opinion and even conflict. It is how you deal with conflict that determines what sort of person you are. Conflict can be destructive or it can be constructive. Don't shy away from conflict. Rather embrace it, learn from it and use it as a building block to self-development. Conflict is an opportunity to express your point of view and above all, it is an opportunity to listen and learn from others. Being a member of a team, you can only be effective if you can interact constructively with others. No man is an island - you cannot work in any environment without interacting with others. Learn to do so constructively.
· Why do you go to work each day?
· What does your work and responsibilities at work mean to you?
· What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
· If you could change anything you currently do, what would it be?
· What are your ambitions?
· What can you contribute to the success of your company?· What have you contributed so far?Then complete the following exercise:Consider your present position. Are you are performing as well as you should be?List all of your personal strengths and weaknesses.How do your strengths assist you and how do your weaknesses hold you back?What can you change, why would you change it and do you want to change? Write a personal development plan to make you perform better and to ensure you will be a good role model for others.To excel in your career, you have to get to know yourself and how you relate and interact with others. When you work with others there are sure to be differences of opinion and even conflict. It is how you deal with conflict that determines what sort of person you are. Conflict can be destructive or it can be constructive. Don't shy away from conflict. Rather embrace it, learn from it and use it as a building block to self-development. Conflict is an opportunity to express your point of view and above all, it is an opportunity to listen and learn from others. Being a member of a team, you can only be effective if you can interact constructively with others. No man is an island - you cannot work in any environment without interacting with others. Learn to do so constructively.
Submitted by Melody Burnard
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