No, this is not about what hard or soft skills you will need in your career. While there is a case for, say, critical thinking or collaboration, we need to be good at four basic attitudes about work:
- Work hard. There is the cynical saying that hard work does not lead to success. If that were true, why are there so many industrious people who remain poor? But that doesn’t negate the fact that many people prospered because of hard work. So go ahead, give your job your all.
- Work smart. Have you seen a machine operator who kept on producing defective products? He then tells you, “I know our yield rates are terrible. But don’t worry. I’m working really hard!” Coupled with elbow grease should be brainpower. Are there ways to make your work faster or simpler?
- Work solo. There will be times when we hunker down on our desk and finish a task. Yet if we are like many people, we are too easily distracted such as (gasp!) social media. The result is that, yes, we are by ourselves, but either the work never gets done or it was not done in the best way it could be. Learn the discipline of focus, even when you are alone.
- Work together. Even if you don’t have direct reports working for you, you are still working with bosses and peers. This is where being a team player comes in. Give value to the people you work with. Initiate, participate, and cooperate.
Work hard, work smart, work solo, and work together. Do these four ingredients well and you will never lack of opportunities. Now, that is a great way to go through this new year!
#careeradvice #careercoaching #work #collaboration #criticalthinking #individual #hardwork
January 13, 2023
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